Psalms 31:10 Meaning and Explanation
“For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist's life is consumed by sorrow and his strength is failing, in part because of his own failings.
The Context of Psalms 31:10
Describing prolonged suffering that has depleted the speaker's strength, acknowledging his own role in his distress.
What Does Psalms 31:10 Mean?
The speaker's life is measured in grief and sighing—not external success or achievement, but suffering and lament. The extended duration ('my years') suggests this is not a temporary crisis but a prolonged struggle that has marked his entire life. Strength failing and bones wasting indicate physical deterioration from prolonged distress. This is the reality of deep suffering—it affects not just moments but the entire span of life, depleting resources and leaving the person fundamentally weakened.
The phrase 'because of mine iniquity' introduces an important dimension: the speaker recognizes his own complicity in his suffering. This is not false guilt but honest recognition that his own failings have contributed to his condition. Yet even with this acknowledgment of personal responsibility, the speaker continues to petition God for mercy, suggesting that he believes divine compassion extends even to those who bear some responsibility for their plight. This balance between admission of fault and appeal for grace is characteristic of genuine prayer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 31:10
What does Psalms 31:10 mean?
The psalmist's life is consumed by sorrow and his strength is failing, in part because of his own failings.
What is the context of Psalms 31:10?
Describing prolonged suffering that has depleted the speaker's strength, acknowledging his own role in his distress.