Psalms 38:6
I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; all the day I go about mourning.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Psalms 38:6
I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; all the day I go about mourning.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The phrase "I go mourning" isn't just about an outward appearance of grief; it suggests David's very demeanor and skin had taken on a "blackened" or sallow hue, showing how deeply his suffering affected him physically and visibly. This wasn't just a sad mood; it was a profound, all-consuming affliction that marked him.
The psalmist is in deep anguish, overwhelmed by a combination of physical suffering and the crushing weight of sin. He feels utterly broken, unable to hold himself upright, and carries this deep sorrow visibly in his outward demeanor. This lament is part of a larger cry to God, moving from expressions of despair to a growing, though still fragile, trust.
David describes himself as 'utterly bowed down and prostrate.' This isn't just sadness; it's a deep, physical manifestation of his inner turmoil.
The verse paints a vivid picture of David's suffering, showing it affects him both physically and emotionally.
A Crushing Weight
The phrase 'bowed down greatly' suggests a physical posture of extreme distress, as if an immense weight is pressing him to the ground. This can be due to illness, overwhelming sorrow, or the burden of sin. The commentators note how this posture can be a physical symptom of deep emotional pain, causing the body to contort or 'writhe' as if in agony.
A Life of Mourning
'All the day I go about mourning' indicates that this state is not temporary but a constant condition. It speaks to a pervasive sense of grief that colors his entire existence. This outward display of mourning, perhaps even wearing dark colors or neglecting his appearance, reflects the inner desolation he feels. It’s a life lived in the shadow of sorrow, with no respite.
Why would David, a king, present himself as 'mourning' and 'bowed down'? It's a posture that speaks volumes about his relationship with God.
David's state of being 'bowed down' and 'mourning' isn't just about personal suffering; it's also a deliberate posture of humility before God.
Submission Under God's Hand
Commentators highlight that this 'bowing down' is contrasted with stubbornness or pride. Instead of resisting God's chastisement, David submits to it. This humble posture acknowledges God's sovereignty and power, recognizing that true strength is found not in defiance but in yielding to the Almighty.
A Visible Plea for Mercy
To 'go mourning all the day long' can be seen as a public or visible plea for God's mercy. It’s a constant reminder, to himself and perhaps to others, of his brokenness and need for divine intervention. This isn't about seeking pity, but about positioning himself before God in a state of vulnerability and dependence, trusting that God sees and hears his groanings.
Understand the original words
avah · Hebrew Verb
A physical posture of being bent over or collapsed, often used metaphorically in Scripture to describe a state of deep humiliation, affliction, or heavy sorrow before God or enemies.
shachach · Hebrew Adjective/Participle
To be cast down or brought to a state of utter helplessness, often representing a position of total surrender or extreme physical and emotional exhaustion.
qadar · Hebrew Verb/Participle
A state of intense grief or sorrow, often expressed through visible acts of lamentation such as wearing sackcloth, weeping, or walking with a heavy heart.
Psalm 38 describes the intense physical and emotional suffering that David experienced as a consequence of his sin. The imagery of being physically bowed down and 'mourning' reflects a state of deep distress and shame, acknowledging the heavy hand of God's discipline upon him.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
David's Reign as King of Israel
David is the established king of Israel, having united the tribes and secured his kingdom after years of conflict. This period is marked by both great victories and personal moral failures.
During David's reign
Sin and its Consequences
David commits adultery with Bathsheba and orchestrates the death of her husband, Uriah. This event leads to profound guilt and a prophetic confrontation by Nathan the prophet.
After confronting Nathan
Deep Repentance and Lament
David responds to Nathan's prophecy with deep sorrow and repentance. Psalm 38 is understood as a profound expression of his anguish during this time.
This verse echoes the deep weariness and sense of being afflicted described in Psalms 38:6, with Job lamenting the relentless nature of his suffering and the passage of time.
Lamentations 3:4Similar to Psalms 38:6, this verse uses imagery of physical distress and suffering ('My flesh and my skin he has worn out') to convey a profound state of anguish and despair.
Galatians 6:17This passage speaks of bearing the marks of Jesus, which can be understood as spiritual afflictions or suffering endured for righteousness' sake, much like David's groaning under the weight of his sin and its consequences.
Isaiah 53:3This verse describes the Suffering Servant as 'despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief,' which resonates deeply with the profound sorrow and outward signs of mourning in Psalms 38:6.
clarkePsalms 38:6: "I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long."
I am troubled - In mind. I am bowed down in body. I am altogether afflicted, and full of distress.
ellicottPsalms 38:6: "I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long."
(6) I am troubled. —Better, I am made to writhe (see margin), I am bowed down exceedingly, All day long I go about squalid. (See Psalm 35:14, and comp. Isaiah 21:3.) The usual Oriental signs of mourning are alluded to in the last clause.
The phrase "I go mourning" isn't just about an outward appearance of grief; it suggests David's very demeanor and skin had taken on a "blackened" or sallow hue, showing how deeply his suffering affected him physically and visibly. This wasn't just a sad mood; it was a profound, all-consuming affliction that marked him.
The psalmist is in deep anguish, overwhelmed by a combination of physical suffering and the crushing weight of sin. He feels utterly broken, unable to hold himself upright, and carries this deep sorrow visibly in his outward demeanor. This lament is part of a larger cry to God, moving from expressions of despair to a growing, though still fragile, trust.
The psalmist is in deep anguish, overwhelmed by a combination of physical suffering and the crushing weight of sin. He feels utterly broken, unable to hold himself upright, and carries this deep sorrow visibly in his outward demeanor. This lament is part of a larger cry to God, moving from expressions of despair to a growing, though still fragile, trust.
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"I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; all the day I go about mourning." — The phrase "I go mourning" isn't just about an outward appearance of grief; it suggests David's very demeanor and skin had taken on a "blackened" or sallow hue, showing how deeply his suffering affec…