KJV ORIGINAL
Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Have mercy on me, O LORD, because I am in deep trouble. My eyes are worn out from crying, and my whole being—my soul and my body—is consumed with sorrow.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The writer is crying out to God for help during a time of overwhelming grief that has affected him physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
📚 Historical Context
This psalm is traditionally attributed to David during a time of intense persecution, possibly when he was fleeing from King Saul or facing other enemies. In ancient Hebrew culture, grief was understood to affect the whole person—body, soul, and spirit—not just emotions. The phrase about the 'belly' refers to the physical manifestation of deep emotional distress.
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