Psalms 73:21 — Word Study
WLCכִּ֭י יִתְחַמֵּ֣ץ לְבָבִ֑י וְ֝כִלְיוֹתַ֗י אֶשְׁתּוֹנָֽן׃
BSAWhenkîy my heartlêbâb [soul, inner being, mind, will, and emotions] was grievedchâmêts▸ [made bitter, pained by the bite of grief] and I was piercedshânan▸ [pricked, stabbed] withinkilyâh [in my reins, kidneys, the seat of emotions]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| כִּ֭י | if | Particle |
| יִתְחַמֵּ֣ץ | it was embittered | Verb, Hithpael, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| לְבָבִ֑י | heart my | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וְ֝כִלְיוֹתַ֗י | and kidneys my | Conjunction, noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
| אֶשְׁתּוֹנָֽן׃ | I was pierced | Verb, Hithpael, imperfect first person common singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | When my heart was grieved and I was pierced within, |
| KJV | Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. |
| ASV | For my soul was grieved, And I was pricked in my heart: |
| YLT | For my heart doth show itself violent, And my reins prick themselves, |
| WEB | For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart. |
| BBE | My heart was made bitter, and I was pained by the bite of grief: |
The translations agree on the emotional state described in the verse.
The verse consists of a main clause followed by a subordinate clause that elaborates on the emotional experience.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbחָמֵץ
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 73:21
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Reflections on the Fate of the Wickedgenerated
Psalm 73:21 captures a moment of profound emotional distress for the psalmist, who feels grieved and pierced within as he contemplates the apparent prosperity of the wicked. This verse is part of a larger reflection on the contrast between the fate of the righteous and the wicked, highlighting the psalmist's struggle to understand God's justice amidst suffering. The surrounding verses express a sense of awakening and realization as the psalmist grapples with his feelings and ultimately finds reassurance in God's presence.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 73:3 | For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. |
| 2 | Psalm 37:1–7 | Do not fret over those who do evil; do not envy those who do wrong. |
| 3 | Job 16:13 | His archers surround me. He pierces my kidneys without mercy and spills my gall on the ground. |
| 4 | Lamentations 3:13 | He pierced my kidneys with His arrows. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֶשְׁתּוֹנָֽן, 'esh.to.Nangenerated
The verb אֶשְׁתּוֹנָֽן ('esh.to.Nan) is a Hithpael form, indicating a reflexive action, meaning 'I was pierced' or 'I was pricked.' This reflects a deep emotional pain, suggesting that the psalmist feels a sharp internal anguish.
This word conveys the intensity of the psalmist's distress, as if he has been metaphorically stabbed by his own thoughts and feelings. The use of this verb emphasizes the personal nature of his suffering and the depth of his emotional experience.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree on the rendering of the verse, emphasizing the psalmist's emotional state.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse revolves around two main verbs: יִתְחַמֵּ֣ץ (yit.cha.Metz) and אֶשְׁתּוֹנָֽן ('esh.to.Nan). The first verb describes the state of the heart, while the second verb expresses the piercing feeling within.
The arrangement of the Hebrew words emphasizes the psalmist's emotional state, with the heart's grief leading into the piercing anguish, showing a progression of his internal struggle.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יִתְחַמֵּ֣ץ as ἐχεκαύθη, which suggests a sense of burning or being consumed by grief. This choice indicates a widening of the emotional experience from mere bitterness to a more intense suffering.
The translation of אֶשְׁתּוֹנָֽן as ἠλλοιώθησαν also carries a sense of transformation, reflecting the deep impact of the psalmist's feelings.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 73:21 expresses the psalmist's deep emotional pain, describing how his heart was grieved and he felt a piercing anguish within. This verse is part of a larger reflection on the struggles of the righteous in contrast to the wicked, highlighting the psalmist's internal turmoil and his quest for understanding.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The psalmist's heart being grieved indicates a deep emotional pain and sorrow, reflecting his struggles and feelings of confusion regarding the fate of the wicked.
The description of feeling pierced within suggests an intense inner anguish, emphasizing the depth of the psalmist's emotional distress as he grapples with his thoughts and feelings.
This verse connects to the overall theme of Psalm 73 by illustrating the psalmist's personal struggle with understanding God's justice in the face of the prosperity of the wicked, ultimately leading to a moment of realization.
We can learn that it is natural to experience deep emotions and struggles in our faith, and that expressing these feelings can lead to greater understanding and connection with God.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some moments in my life when I have felt a similar emotional pain as the psalmist?
- How can I bring my feelings of grief and anguish to God in prayer?
- In what ways can I seek understanding when I struggle with God's justice?
- How can I support others who are experiencing deep emotional distress?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Fathers referenced this verse to discuss themes of emotional distress and divine guidance, arguing from its profound insights into human experience.
For this reason David says, as if visited by him,” “You have held my right hand, and in your will you have conducted me and have taken me up with glory.” This is the text we have received, and it is in accord with the Greek,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 73 →
Therefore the holy man says, “For what awaits me in heaven? And besides you what do I desire on earth?” This means: You are my portion, you are abundant to me for all things, I have sought nothing but that I might possess you as my share,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 73 →
And the psalmist says, appropriately, “My heart and my flesh have failed, God of my heart.” Indeed, abiding things cannot follow unless earthly things have failed. Therefore the flesh falls when fleshly things are put to death.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 73 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 73:21 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThus my heart was grieved,.... Not with his own sins, nor with the sins of the wicked, but at their prosperity; for this is an account of himself, while under the temptation, and before he went into
Read John Gill on Psalms 73 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. -He condemns his past beastlike folly and expresses his assurance of God's presence and guidance, notwithstanding his folly. Verse 21.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 73 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThus; so as I have above expressed; for this particle so taken, doth not belong to what he had now wisely and piously said in the next foregoing verses, but to what he had unadvisedly spoken in the former verses, as is evident from the following verse. Or, nevertheless, as this particle is oft used. Although I knew very. well that the prosperity of sinners would have a sudden and dismal end, yet I was so foolish as to be grieved at it. I was pricked in my reins; was heartily and deeply wounded with disquieting thoughts, and tormenting passions, envy, and sorrow, and anger.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 73 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 73:21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.Ver. 21. Thus my heart was grieved] Heb. leavened and soured, sc. with the greatness of godly sorrow, et quasi aceto acri perfundebatur, it was steeped, as it were, in vinegar. So Peter wept bitterly; waters of Marah flowed from his eyes. And I was pricked in my reins] Pricked at heart, as those, Acts 2:37, put to as much pain as those that have the stone in the kidneys, exceedingly grieved for my misconstruing and miscensuring of God’ s ways and people.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 73 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(21) Grieved.—Literally, grew sour; or, as we say, “was soured.”
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 73 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 21. Thus may heart was grieved] The different views which I got of this subject quite confounded me; I was equally astonished at their sudden overthrow and my own ignorance. I felt as if I were a beast in stupidity. I permitted my mind to be wholly occupied with sensible things, like the beasts that perish, and did not look into a future state; nor did I consider, nor submit to, the wise designs of an unerring Providence.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 73 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges15–28. Faith triumphant in the conviction of an ultimate judgement and the consciousness of the supreme blessedness of fellowship with God.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 73 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThus my heart was grieved - literally, and more expressively, “was soured.” The meaning is, that his heart was grieved, pained, dissatisfied.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 73 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
When my heart was grieved and I was pierced within,
For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart.
When my heart was grieved and I was pierced within,
Yes, my spirit was bitter, and my insides felt sharp pain.
Tyndale line
Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
For my soul was grieved, And I was pricked in my heart:
For my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins:
Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
Certainely mine heart was vexed, and I was pricked in my reines:
Strictly literal
When my heart was in a ferment, and I was pricked in my reins,
For my heart doth show itself violent, And my reins prick themselves,
For my heart shows itself violent, || And my reins prick themselves,
For it fermented in my heart, and in my reins I felt sharp thrusts;
For my heart was grieved, and I was deeply wounded.
From the Latin
Let not the humble be turned away with confusion: the poor and needy shall praise thy name.
Simplified
At that time my thoughts were bitter. I felt like I had been stabbed.
My heart was made bitter, and I was pained by the bite of grief:
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads, "כִּ֭י יִתְחַמֵּ֣ץ לְבָבִ֑י וְ֝כִלְיוֹתַ֗י אֶשְׁתּוֹנָֽן׃" which translates to "When my heart was grieved and I was pierced within." The Septuagint provides a word-by-word correspondence that matches all five words from the Masoretic Text, indicating agreement in the core meaning of the verse. There are no notable differences between these witnesses in this instance.
כִּ֭י יִתְחַמֵּ֣ץ לְבָבִ֑י וְ֝כִלְיוֹתַ֗י אֶשְׁתּוֹנָֽן׃
5 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 73:21
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'
כִּי conj. that, for, when
that
Of time, when, of the past
elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
Because, since
base
כִּי אם־
each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
that if
for if
(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—
limiting the prec. clause, except
the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
after an oath, surely
base
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that
. . Of time, when, of the past
. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
. Because, since
H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if
. for if
. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except
. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
. after an oath, surely
H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
3588 kiy kee
a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional
prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent
or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative
conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by
other particles annexed:--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.
כִּי (ki) — for.
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
כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.
1) except if
1a) but if
1b) even though
כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.
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)
Conj — ParticleHTc
חָמֵץ (chamets) is a Hebrew word with several meanings, primarily related to being sour or leavened. It can describe something that is fermented or harsh in taste, as well as denote a color (red) or a quality (ruthless). The entries indicate its use in various contexts, including emotional states like being embittered or grieving.
חָמֵץ vb. be sour, leavened
Qal be leavened
Hithp. be soured, embittered
base
[חמץ] vb. be red
base
[חמץ] vb. be ruthless—only Qal Pt. ψ 71:4
ref
H2556a חָמֵץ be sour, leavened .be leavened
. be soured, embittered
H2556b חמץ be red H2556c חמץ be ruthless
2556 chamets khaw-mates'
a primitive root; to be pungent; i.e. in taste (sour, i.e.
literally fermented, or figuratively, harsh), in color
(dazzling):--cruel (man), dyed, be grieved, leavened.
חָמֵץ (cha.mets) — to leaven.
1) to be leavened, be sour
1a) (Qal) to be leavened
1b) (Hiphil) to taste something leavened
1c) (Hithpael) to be embittered, grieved
חָמַץ (cha.mats) — be red.
to be red
חָמַץ (cha.mats) — to oppress.
to be cruel, oppress, be ruthless
V-Hithpael-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hithpael · imperfect third person masculine singularHVti3ms
לֵבָב (lebab) refers to the inner man, encompassing the mind, will, and heart. It highlights aspects like emotions, moral character, and conscience, often contrasting the inner self with the outer. The term is used primarily for humans and can also denote courage and appetites.
לֵבָב 251 n.m. inner man, mind, will, heart
seldom of things in the midst of the seas
usu. of men
the inner man in contrast with the outer
the inner man, indef. the soul, comprehending mind, affections and will
specific ref. to mind
spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions, determinations of the will
spec. ref. to conscience
spec. ref. to moral character
= the man himself
spec. as seat of appetites
spec. of seat of the emotions and passions
seat of courage
base
H3824 לֵבָב inner man, mind, will, heart . seldom of things in the midst of the seas
. usu. of men . the inner man in contrast with the outer
. the inner man, indef. the soul, comprehending mind, affections and will
. specific ref. to mind
. spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions, determinations of the will
. spec. ref. to conscience
. spec. ref. to moral character
. = the man himself
. spec. as seat of appetites
. spec. of seat of the emotions and passions
. seat of courage
3824 lebab lay-bawb'
from 3823; the heart (as the most interior organ); used also
like 3820:--+ bethink themselves, breast, comfortably,
courage, ((faint), (tender-)heart((-ed)), midst, mind, X
unawares, understanding.
see HEBREW for 03823
see HEBREW for 03820
לֵבָב (le.vav) — heart.
1) inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, 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
Aramaic equivalent: le.vav (לְבַב "heart" H3825)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp1bs
כִּלְיָה (kilyah) refers to kidneys in the plural form, primarily as a physical organ. It can also denote the seat of emotion and affection figuratively, and is used in the context of sacrificial animals. The term is derived from a related word for 'kidney' and is noted for its figurative use in describing the mind or interior self.
[כִּלְיָה] n.f. only pl. kidneys
base
H3629 [כִּלְיָה] only pl. kidneys
3629 kilyah kil-yaw'
feminine of 3627 (only in the plural); a kidney (as an
essential organ); figuratively, the mind (as the interior
self):--kidneys, reins.
see HEBREW for 03627
כִּלְיָה (kil.yah) — kidney.
1) kidneys
1a) of physical organ (lit.)
1b) of seat of emotion and affection (fig.)
1c) of sacrificial animals
2) (TWOT) reins
Conj | N-fp | Suff — Conjunction · noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHC/Ncfpc/Sp1bs
שָׁנַן (shanan) primarily means to sharpen or whet. It can also refer to teaching incisively or being pierced, particularly in a figurative sense. The word appears in various forms, including Qal for sharpening and Piel for teaching. Notably, it is associated with a piercing feeling in the kidneys.
[שָׁנַן] vb. whet, sharpen
Qal whet, sharpen
Pi. teach the words incisively
Hithpō‛. in my kidneys I was pierced
base
H8150 [שָׁנַן] whet, sharpen .whet, sharpen
. teach the words incisively
. in my kidneys I was pierced
8150 shanan shaw-nan'
a primitive root; to point (transitive or intransitive);
intensively, to pierce; figuratively, to inculcate:--prick,
sharp(-en), teach diligently, whet.
שָׁנַן (sha.nan) — to sharpen.
1) to sharpen, whet
1a) (Qal) to whet, sharpen
1b) (Piel) to sharpen, teach (incisively)
1c)(Hithpolel) to be pierced
V-r-Imperf-1cs — Verb · Hithpael · imperfect first person common singularHVti1cs