Psalms 13:3 Meaning and Explanation
“Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist pleads with God to pay attention and restore his life-energy before it is too late.
The Context of Psalms 13:3
The turning point where lament shifts to petition, invoking God's attention as the source of renewed life.
What Does Psalms 13:3 Mean?
The turn toward petition comes in this verse: 'Consider and hear me.' The psalmist moves from complaint to request, asking God to take notice and listen. The metaphor of lightening the eyes connects physical vitality to spiritual hope—dimmed eyes suggest approaching death or deep despair.
To sleep the sleep of death is to pass from life into darkness. The urgency here is real: without God's intervention, the psalmist fears he will lose the capacity to respond, to hope, to live. This is not just sadness but a crisis threatening his very existence.
Psalms 13:3 in the Original Language
or (אוֹר), 'lighten' — to give light, brighten, or illuminate; often metaphorical for joy, understanding, or deliverance from darkness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 13:3
What does Psalms 13:3 mean?
The psalmist pleads with God to pay attention and restore his life-energy before it is too late.
What is the context of Psalms 13:3?
The turning point where lament shifts to petition, invoking God's attention as the source of renewed life.