Psalms 102:5
Psalms 102:5 in Multiple Translations
Through my loud groaning my flesh clings to my bones.
By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.
By reason of the voice of my groaning My bones cleave to my flesh.
Because of the voice of my sorrow, my flesh is wasted to the bone.
All my groaning has worn me out; my bones show through my skin.
For the voyce of my groning my bones doe cleaue to my skinne.
From the voice of my sighing Hath my bone cleaved to my flesh.
By reason of the voice of my groaning, my bones stick to my skin.
By reason of the voice of my groaning, my bones cleave to my skin.
Who satisfieth thy desire with good things: thy youth shall be renewed like the eagle’s.
I groan loudly, and my bones can be seen under my skin because I have become very thin.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 102:5
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 102:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הוּכָּֽה
כָ֭/עֵשֶׂב
וַ/יִּבַ֣שׁ
לִבִּ֑/י
כִּֽי
שָׁ֝כַ֗חְתִּי
מֵ/אֲכֹ֥ל
לַחְמִֽ/י
הוּכָּֽה
nâkâh
H5221
to smite
V-Hophal-Perf-3ms
כָ֭/עֵשֶׂב
ʻeseb
H6212
vegetation
Prep | N-ms
וַ/יִּבַ֣שׁ
yâbêsh
H3001
to wither
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
לִבִּ֑/י
lêb
H3820
heart
N-ms | Suff
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
שָׁ֝כַ֗חְתִּי
shâkach
H7911
to forget
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
מֵ/אֲכֹ֥ל
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
לַחְמִֽ/י
lechem
H3899
food
N-cs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 102:5
הוּכָּֽה
nâkâh
H5221
"to smite"
V-Hophal-Perf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)
Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.
כָ֭/עֵשֶׂב
ʻeseb
H6212
"vegetation"
Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word means vegetation or grass, representing growth and new life. It is used in Genesis 1:11 to describe the creation of plants and in Psalm 23:2 to describe a peaceful landscape.
Definition: herb, herbage, grass, green plants Aramaic equivalent: a.sav (עֲשַׂב "grass" H6211B)
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: grass, herb. See also: Genesis 1:11; Psalms 72:16; Psalms 92:8.
וַ/יִּבַ֣שׁ
yâbêsh
H3001
"to wither"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to wither or dry up, like a plant without water. It can also mean to be ashamed or disappointed. The Bible uses it to describe things that have lost their freshness or vitality.
Definition: 1) to make dry, wither, be dry, become dry, be dried up, be withered 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be dry, be dried up, be without moisture 1a2) to be dried up 1b) (Piel) to make dry, dry up 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to dry up, make dry 1c1a) to dry up (water) 1c1b) to make dry, wither 1c1c) to exhibit dryness
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: be ashamed, clean, be confounded, (make) dry (up), (do) shame(-fully), [idiom] utterly, wither (away). See also: Genesis 8:7; Jeremiah 6:15; Psalms 22:16.
לִבִּ֑/י
lêb
H3820
"heart"
N-ms | Suff
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
Usage: Occurs in 552 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom. See also: Genesis 6:5; 2 Samuel 13:33; Psalms 4:8.
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
שָׁ֝כַ֗חְתִּי
shâkach
H7911
"to forget"
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
To forget something means to mislay it or be oblivious to it. This Hebrew word is used in the Bible to describe when people forget things, like God's commands. The KJV translates it as 'to forget' or 'at all'.
Definition: 1) to forget, ignore, wither 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to forget 1a2) to cease to care 1b) (Niphal) to be forgotten 1c) (Piel) to cause to forget 1d) (Hiphil) to make or cause to forget 1e) (Hithpael) to be forgotten Aramaic equivalent: she.khach (שְׁכַח "to find" H7912)
Usage: Occurs in 95 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, (cause to) forget. See also: Genesis 27:45; Psalms 106:13; Psalms 9:13.
מֵ/אֲכֹ֥ל
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
לַחְמִֽ/י
lechem
H3899
"food"
N-cs | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to food, especially bread or grain. It's used throughout the Bible to describe meals, sacrifices, and daily life, highlighting the importance of food in ancient Israelite culture.
Definition: : food(eating) 1) bread, food, grain 1a) bread 1a1) bread 1a2) bread-corn 1b) food (in general)
Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. See also: Genesis 3:19; 1 Samuel 20:34; Psalms 14:4.
Study Notes — Psalms 102:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 102:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 102:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 102:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 102:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 102:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 102:5
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 102:5
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 102:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 102:5
- Sermons on Psalms 102:5
Context — The Prayer of the Afflicted
3For my days vanish like smoke, and my bones burn like glowing embers.
4My heart is afflicted, and withered like grass; I even forget to eat my bread.
5Through my loud groaning my skin hangs on my bones.
6I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins. 7I lie awake; I am like a lone bird on a housetop.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 19:20 | My skin and flesh cling to my bones; I have escaped by the skin of my teeth. |
| 2 | Lamentations 4:8 | But now their appearance is blacker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become as dry as a stick. |
| 3 | Psalms 6:8 | Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity, for the LORD has heard my weeping. |
| 4 | Proverbs 17:22 | A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. |
| 5 | Psalms 38:8–10 | I am numb and badly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart. O Lord, my every desire is before You; my groaning is not hidden from You. My heart pounds, my strength fails, and even the light of my eyes has faded. |
| 6 | Psalms 32:3–4 | When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was drained as in the summer heat. Selah |
| 7 | Psalms 6:6 | I am weary from groaning; all night I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. |
Psalms 102:5 Summary
[Psalms 102:5 describes a moment of extreme distress and suffering, where the psalmist feels like their body is wasting away and their flesh is clinging to their bones. This is a powerful expression of the depth of human suffering, but also a reminder that we can bring our deepest emotions and struggles to God, just as the psalmist does here. As we see in Psalms 62:8, we are encouraged to pour out our hearts to God, and in Romans 8:26, we are reminded that the Spirit helps us in our weakness, even when we do not know what to pray for. By being honest with God about our struggles, we can find comfort and strength in His presence, even in the darkest of times.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the flesh to cling to the bones?
This is a metaphorical expression of extreme physical and emotional distress, similar to what is described in Lamentations 4:8, where the skin is said to cling to the bones due to severe famine and suffering.
Is this verse describing a physical or spiritual condition?
While the verse does mention physical symptoms like loud groaning and flesh clinging to bones, it is set in a context that suggests a deeper spiritual and emotional struggle, as seen in Psalms 102:3-4, where the psalmist describes their heart being afflicted and their days vanishing like smoke.
How does this relate to other Bible passages about suffering?
The description of suffering in Psalms 102:5 is reminiscent of Job 19:20, where Job says his bone clings to his skin, highlighting the intense physical and emotional pain he endured, and underscoring the theme of suffering as a common human experience throughout the Bible, including in passages like Romans 8:18-25.
What does this verse teach us about expressing our emotions to God?
This verse shows that it is acceptable to express our deepest emotions, including groaning and distress, to God, as seen in Romans 8:26, where the Spirit helps us in our weakness, including in times when we do not know what to pray for, and in Psalms 62:8, which encourages us to pour out our hearts to God.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I have felt like my flesh was clinging to my bones, and how did I respond to God in those moments?
- How can I be more honest with God about my deepest struggles and emotions, just as the psalmist is in this verse?
- In what ways can I identify with the psalmist's feeling of being completely drained and worn out, and how can I find comfort in God's presence during those times?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of expressing my emotions and not suppressing them, especially in my relationship with God?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 102:5
By reason of the voice of my groaning,.... Under the burden of sin, and pressure of afflictions: my bones cleave to my skin; was quite emaciated, reduced to a skeleton, became nothing but skin and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 102:5
By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin. By reason of the voice of my groaning. What is here said of the complaining sufferer is in Psalms 102:20 said of Zion, whom he represents, as being her king (cf.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 102:5
My flesh being quite consumed with excessive sorrows.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 102:5
Psalms 102:5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.Ver. 5. By reason of the voice of my groaning] A broken spirit drieth the bones, Proverbs 17:22, and, by drinking up the marrow and radical moisture, casteth all into a consumption.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 102:5
(5) Skin.—See margin. In Lamentations 4:8, more correctly, “my skin cleaveth to my bones;” a picture of emaciation, the result of fasting.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 102:5
5. If the A.V. is retained, the verse will describe the state of emaciation to which he has been reduced by continued sorrow. Cp. Lamentations 4:8. But though the cognate Arabic word means skin, it is doubtful whether the Heb. word bâsâr can bear this sense. Usage requires the rendering of R.V., ‘my bones cleave to my flesh,’ which means apparently that his limbs are swollen and stiff. The phrase seems to be borrowed from Job 19:20, “my bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh,” where Job describes his limbs as partly emaciated, partly abnormally swollen, and stiff with disease. The curious rendering of the P.B.V. “my bones [Coverdale, bone] will scarce cleave to my flesh,” comes from the Zürich Version:—“Vor geschrey mines seufftzens mag mein gebeyn kum an meinem fleysch hangen.”
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 102:5
By reason of the voice of my groaning - By suffering and trouble, so great as to produce groaning, my flesh is wasted away.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 102:5
5. Bones cleave to my skin—From emaciation. Job 19:2; Lamentations 4:8.
Sermons on Psalms 102:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Your Enemies Will Leave Suddenly and Ashamed by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that even righteous individuals can lose their discernment and be challenged by God. He highlights the importance of being able to hear the |
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Crying Unto Jesus by Samuel Rutherford | Samuel Rutherford preaches on the fervent and intense prayers of the Syro-Phoenician woman in Matthew 15:22, highlighting the importance of urgent prayer that is filled with need, |
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Tears Have a Voice by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes that tears carry a profound voice, as God pays attention to both our weeping and our prayers. He illustrates that penitent tears serve as divine ambassador |
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Tears Have Tongues by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound power of tears in his sermon 'Tears Have Tongues,' illustrating that tears are not silent but rather have a voice that reaches the ears of God |
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What the Christian Can Loose by Jack Hyles | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that the answer to all of our problems, including pollution, morals, narcotics, and more, is the gospel of Jesus Christ. He calls for a gene |
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Building a Godly Home (Tamil) by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of building strong, godly homes as the foundation for a healthy church. It highlights the need for husbands and wives to have a good relations |
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Surviving Pitfalls by George Verwer | In this video, the speaker shares about his transformative trip to India, which changed the course of his life and the ministry of OM. He emphasizes the importance of being strong |