Psalms 109:23 Meaning and Explanation
“I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist's life is fleeting and unstable, like a fading shadow or a locust blown by wind.
The Context of Psalms 109:23
The psalmist's existential crisis and fragility.
What Does Psalms 109:23 Mean?
A shadow declines and vanishes as light fades—the psalmist sees his life as temporary and insubstantial. The image emphasizes his transience and lack of permanence in the face of his enemies' permanence (as he feared for them).
'Tossed up and down as the locust' suggests helplessness and instability. He is buffeted by forces beyond his control, unable to find solid ground or rest. The locust moves without purpose, and so does the psalmist in his distress.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 109:23
What does Psalms 109:23 mean?
The psalmist's life is fleeting and unstable, like a fading shadow or a locust blown by wind.
What is the context of Psalms 109:23?
The psalmist's existential crisis and fragility.