Psalm 38 10

Psalm 38:10 kjv

My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.

Psalm 38:10 nkjv

My heart pants, my strength fails me; As for the light of my eyes, it also has gone from me.

Psalm 38:10 niv

My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes.

Psalm 38:10 esv

My heart throbs; my strength fails me, and the light of my eyes ? it also has gone from me.

Psalm 38:10 nlt

My heart beats wildly, my strength fails,
and I am going blind.

Psalm 38 verses

Psalm 38 10 Meaning

Psalm 38:10 portrays a vivid image of extreme physical and emotional debilitation. The psalmist, identifying himself as David, describes his inner being, specifically his heart, as frantically pulsating or reeling, indicative of intense anxiety, dizziness, and mental agitation. Simultaneously, his physical vitality and endurance have completely deserted him. Furthermore, the light, symbolizing life, clarity, hope, and the very health of his vision, has also vanished, signifying a profound decay, despair, and an approach toward death. This verse powerfully encapsulates a state of utter collapse, likely tied to the overwhelming burden of sin and its painful consequences as experienced by the psalmist.

Psalm 38 10 Context

Psalm 38 is an individual lament psalm by David, falling under the category of "penitential psalms." It is explicitly titled "A Psalm of David, for the memorial offering." This superscription, potentially linked to the flour offering (Lev 2:2, 5, 9, 16) or the term 'to bring to remembrance,' suggests David's plea for God to remember him mercifully amidst his suffering, or perhaps it implies the psalmist is bringing his sins to God's remembrance for forgiveness. The broader context of Psalm 38 depicts David's intense physical and spiritual anguish, which he attributes to God's disciplinary hand because of his sin (vv. 1-5). His body is diseased and "no soundness in my bones because of my sin." He describes his wounds, stooped posture, burning fever, and constant pain (vv. 5-8). Furthermore, he suffers social isolation as his friends and neighbors avoid him due to his affliction (vv. 11-12), and his enemies use his suffering as an opportunity to plot against him (vv. 12-16). Verse 10 specifically articulates the extreme physical and mental deterioration that results from this overwhelming burden of sin and its associated consequences, preparing the way for his renewed confession and plea for God's help (vv. 17-22). Historically, this psalm could reflect an episode such as David's sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent consequences foretold by Nathan, or perhaps another significant affliction related to his walk with God.

Psalm 38 10 Word analysis

• My heart: (Hebrew: Libbi - לִבִּי) Refers to the innermost being of a person in Hebrew thought. Beyond emotion, it encompasses the mind, will, intellect, and conscience – the very core of identity and decision-making. Here, it signifies the core self experiencing profound distress.

• pants; (Hebrew: Seḥarḥar - סְחַרְחַר) This verb is intense. It means "to whirl, reel, palpitate, be greatly disturbed, agitated, or dizzied." It vividly depicts an uncontrolled, rapid movement within the chest, akin to gasping for breath, extreme feverishness, or the dizzying confusion of a very sick person. It indicates deep internal disequilibrium and physical collapse.

• my strength: (Hebrew: Kochi - כֹּחִי) Denotes physical power, vitality, vigor, ability, or endurance. It's the intrinsic energy required for life and activity.

• fails me; (Hebrew: ʿazabani - עֲזָבַנִי) From the root ʿazab (עָזַב), meaning "to forsake, abandon, leave completely." This is a strong verb indicating a complete departure or desertion. It's not just a lessening but a total absence, as if strength itself has walked away from him.

• as for the light of my eyes: (Hebrew: wĕʾor ʿe̱nay - וְאוֹר עֵינַי) "Light of my eyes" is a well-known biblical idiom. Light symbolizes life, health, well-being, clarity of thought, joy, vitality, discernment, and even hope. Its association with the eyes indicates the ability to see clearly, enjoy life, and be active.

• it also has gone from me. (Hebrew: gam hēm mennī - גַּם הֵם מֶנִּי) "It has gone/departed from me." The pronoun hēm (they) used here in a singular sense referring to "light" emphasizes the thoroughness of the departure, as if various aspects of light or life force have collectively abandoned him. The phrase "gone from me" (mènnī) reiterates the theme of abandonment from the preceding phrase ("fails me"), intensifying the sense of utter desolation.

Words-group analysis:

• "My heart pants" and "my strength fails me": These two phrases create a powerful juxtaposition. The first points to a frenetic internal turmoil and disarray (a racing, reeling heart), while the second points to a complete outward loss of physical capacity (strength gone). Together, they paint a picture of internal chaos combined with external incapacitation, signifying a total breakdown. The internal distress (panting heart) is not generating strength, but instead contributing to its complete depletion.

• "My strength fails me; as for the light of my eyes, it also has gone from me": The failure of strength describes the physical and energetic collapse, while the loss of the "light of my eyes" broadens this beyond mere physical strength to encompass the very essence of life, hope, clarity, and mental well-being. This sequence illustrates a deepening descent from physical weakness to a profound internal darkness and near-death state, where vital signs and the zest for life are utterly absent. It suggests that once the body weakens, the spirit's light often follows.

Psalm 38 10 Bonus section

The strong imagery in Psalm 38:10 resonates with prophetic literature that describes similar states of physical and spiritual anguish, sometimes depicting collective Israel's suffering under God's judgment or in anticipation of redemptive work. For instance, the language evokes Job's lament over his physical deterioration, a common motif for deep affliction in the Wisdom Literature. The Septuagint (LXX) translates seḥarḥar as "tarassō" (ταράσσω), meaning "to trouble, disturb, stir up," further emphasizing the agitated and disturbed state of the heart. The very visceral nature of the symptoms – internal palpitation, loss of strength, dimming eyes – were understood in ancient Near Eastern cultures as clear signs of a life force diminishing, often associated with divine disfavor or an approaching end. The psalmist's suffering is so acute that it breaks down the very faculties that define a healthy, living human: internal peace, outward vitality, and keen perception. This holistic disintegration underscores the seriousness of his condition before God, positioning the psalm as a desperate cry for divine intervention and mercy in a state of utter desperation.

Psalm 38 10 Commentary

Psalm 38:10 captures the agonizing culmination of the psalmist's suffering, both physical and psychological. David’s confession of sin (v. 18) underlies this vivid depiction of decay, framing his affliction as a direct consequence or chastisement from the Lord. His heart’s "panting" (or reeling/dizziness) signifies extreme internal disquietude, anxiety, and a feeling of disorientation—perhaps a literal physiological response to illness, but also indicative of deep spiritual and mental anguish. This internal chaos is mirrored by a complete outward loss of vigor, as "strength fails." This is not a gradual decline but an emphatic abandonment, as though the very power within him has utterly deserted him, leaving him powerless and vulnerable. The profoundest imagery comes with the loss of "the light of my eyes." This common biblical metaphor speaks to more than just physical sight; it represents vitality, clarity, joy, hope, and the essence of life itself. Its departure signals a descent into a state resembling death or profound despair, where all hope and vigor are extinguished. The verse collectively expresses the devastating holistic impact of sin on one’s physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, portraying a soul overwhelmed and a body in collapse. While God is gracious and offers forgiveness, the psalmist here testifies to the profound, tangible suffering that sin can introduce into a life before that restorative grace fully ministers.

Examples for practical usage:

• Acknowledging how internal anxiety ("heart pants") can lead to spiritual exhaustion when unaddressed.
• Understanding that loss of hope or joy ("light of my eyes... gone") can be a symptom of unresolved spiritual burdens.
• Recognizing the interconnectedness of physical, emotional, and spiritual health; a burden in one area often impacts the others.