Psalm 6 7

Psalm 6:7 kjv

Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.

Psalm 6:7 nkjv

My eye wastes away because of grief; It grows old because of all my enemies.

Psalm 6:7 niv

My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes.

Psalm 6:7 esv

My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes.

Psalm 6:7 nlt

My vision is blurred by grief;
my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies.

Psalm 6 verses

Psalm 6 7 Meaning

Psalm 6:7 expresses the psalmist's profound suffering and exhaustion. His eye, symbolizing his vital essence and capacity for perception, is depicted as physically deteriorated—dimmed, sunken, and worn out. This decay is directly attributed to the intense grief he experiences, which is amplified by the constant distress caused by his numerous adversaries. The verse portrays a deeply personal affliction that has visibly aged him and eroded his vigor, highlighting the overwhelming burden of sorrow and the relentless pressure from his foes.

Psalm 6 7 Context

Psalm 6 is a fervent lament, the first of the seven traditional Penitential Psalms. David pours out his soul, suffering under the weight of physical illness (v. 2), divine discipline (v. 1), and the taunts of his enemies who exploit his weakness (v. 7-8). He feels as if God's wrath has fallen upon him (v. 1), causing great disquiet and a profound sense of abandonment (v. 3). The physical manifestations of his anguish—bones troubled (v. 2), groaning (v. 6), bed wet with tears (v. 6), and failing eyesight (v. 7)—reflect an intense emotional and spiritual crisis. His plea for healing is not just for physical restoration, but for divine intervention against his adversaries and for renewed fellowship with God, demonstrating a profound shift from despair to hopeful confidence in the Lord's eventual response (v. 8-10). The historical context often relates to King David's personal tribulations, perhaps due to specific sins, illness, or conflicts that exposed his vulnerability and allowed his enemies to triumph.

Word Analysis

• My eye (עֵינִי, ʿēnî): From עַיִן (ayin), meaning "eye," but also referring metaphorically to one's entire perception, understanding, or even vitality. The "eye" is a vital organ, sensitive and vulnerable, symbolizing the deepest part of one's being that suffers and perceives distress. Its deterioration signifies profound personal and spiritual anguish, beyond mere physical pain.
• is wasted away (עָשְׁשָׁה, ʿāshᵉšâ): From עָשַׁשׁ (ʿashash), meaning "to waste away," "to become weak," "to grow dim," or "to become sunken." It conveys a sense of decaying, withering, or diminishing in vitality and luster. Here, it specifically denotes vision failing or eyes becoming swollen and red from constant weeping and strain, leading to an appearance of being worn out.
• because of grief (מִכַּעַס, mikkaʿas): From כַּעַס (kaʿas), meaning "vexation," "anger," "sorrow," "distress," "grief," or "indignation." In this context, it speaks to an internal, emotional turmoil and deep sadness. It is the internal affliction that causes the outward physical deterioration. The Septuagint translates it as "anger" or "indignation," reflecting the bitter and painful emotional state of the psalmist.
• it has grown old (עָתְקָה, ʿātəqâ): From עָתַק (ʿāthaq), meaning "to pass away," "to become worn out," "to be old," or "to remove." This word suggests a premature aging or a fading, a sense of something decaying due to the strain. It highlights the lasting, debilitating effect of the distress, making the psalmist feel physically depleted beyond his years. This complements "wasted away" by emphasizing decay over time.
• because of all my foes (מִכָּל־צֹרְרָי, mikkol-tsōrərāy): כָּל (kol) means "all," emphasizing the multitude and totality. צֹרְרָי (tsōrᵉrāy) is from צָרַר (tsarar), meaning "to bind," "to tie up," or "to vex." Thus, "foes" (צָר - tsar) implies those who besiege, oppress, or cause distress. The "all" denotes a pervasive and relentless external pressure, exacerbating the psalmist's internal anguish. Their taunts and hostile actions are a direct cause of his grief and physical decline.

Psalm 6 7 Bonus section

The Septuagint translation of "grief" as thymos (anger/indignation) suggests the possibility that the psalmist's intense internal emotion could also be righteous indignation or a vehement inner turmoil, not solely passive sadness. The physical manifestation of weeping so intensely that the eyes fail or "grow old" connects the experience to deeper somatic distress, illustrating a principle often seen in biblical texts where the inner state profoundly affects the outer body. The suffering expressed here, particularly the eyes "wasted away" and "grown old," contrasts sharply with the common biblical image of God as a "light" (Ps 27:1), where His presence brings clarity and strength. The psalmist's failing vision represents a diminishing spiritual light due to the overwhelming darkness of his circumstance. However, the subsequent verses of Psalm 6 pivot sharply, showing that even from such depths, faith in God's response can restore hope and drive away the "workers of iniquity."

Psalm 6 7 Commentary

Psalm 6:7 encapsulates the full extent of the psalmist's brokenness. It's a lament born of profound internal grief and relentless external opposition. The "eye" failing illustrates a universal human experience of how deep emotional and spiritual distress can manifest physically. Intense sorrow causes not just tears but can leave one feeling weary, sunken, and aged beyond their years, even impacting their perception and vitality. The repeated emphasis on the eyes highlights how tears are a physical release of intense grief. Moreover, the enemies' relentless pressure intensifies this internal turmoil. In a world that often equated suffering with sin, the foes likely took perverse satisfaction in the psalmist's visible distress, further compounding his burden. This verse shows that authentic faith does not preclude the expression of raw, visceral pain to God; rather, it invites it, laying bare one's full physical and emotional vulnerability before the divine Presence. It is a powerful example of suffering brought directly before the Lord in earnest supplication.