Psalm 69:23

Translations

Modern

May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.

Traditional

Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.

Literal

May their eyes grow dark from seeing, and their backs be bent forever!

Latin

Obscurentur oculi eorum, ne videant, et dorsum eorum semper incurva.

Original

Hebrew

English

May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.

Notes

Psalms 69:22–23

The psalmist asks God to give his suffering (Psalm 69:3) to his enemies. Paul applied these words to the unbelieving Jews of his day (Romans 11:9–10).

Psalms 69:1–36

In this personal lament, the poet shares his vulnerability, humiliation, and deep pain. He asks God to defend him for the sake of the righteous.

Psalms 69:1–72:20

These last four psalms of Book Two contrast with the earlier psalms that describe God’s mighty acts in creation and redemption, ending with God’s march to Zion (Psalms 65–68). Psalms 69–71 describe the king's suffering, and Psalm 72 responds with a prayer for God to bless the king.

Theme notes and profiles

David Prayers for Vengeance Psalms of Suffering

Related verses

Daniel 5:6
…his face grew pale and his thoughts so alarmed him that his hips gave way and his knees knocked together.
Romans 11:10
May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.”
Isaiah 6:9–10
And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’
2 Corinthians 3:14
But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed.
Acts 28:26–27
‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
Jeremiah 30:6
Ask now, and see: Can a male give birth? Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor and every face turned pale?
Isaiah 21:3–4
Therefore my body is filled with anguish. Pain grips me, like the pains of a woman in labor. I am bewildered to hear, I am dismayed to see.
Romans 11:25
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.
Matthew 13:14–15
In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
Isaiah 29:9–10
Stop and be astonished; blind yourselves and be sightless; be drunk, but not with wine; stagger, but not from strong drink.
John 12:39–40
For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says:
Deuteronomy 28:65–67
Among those nations you will find no repose, not even a resting place for the sole of your foot. There the LORD will give you a trembling heart, failing eyes, and a despairing soul.

Glossary

Curse, Cursed David Mercy Music Persecution Psalms, Book of Shoshannim, Shoshannim-Eduth

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Prayer In Jesus, the Christ: Messiah: Messianic Psalms Prayer: Imprecatory Spiritual Blindness: Judicially Inflicted

Psalm 69:23

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Glossary?

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