Bible Strands
Psalms 102:5
Through my loud groaning my skin hangs on my bones.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses God during a period of severe physical wasting, describing a state where bodily decay has replaced normal functions like eating bread.
The words — The Hebrew דָּבְקָה (da.ve.Kah) means "it clings," linked to אַנְחָתִי ('an.cha.T/i) "my groaning," which the text uses to describe how the psalmist's flesh adheres to his bones.
The thread — This description of physical deterioration runs parallel to Job 19:20, where skin and flesh cling to bones, and mirrors the shriveled appearance noted in Lamentations 4:8.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to confront how extreme affliction can strip away physical vitality and social presence, leaving only the bare mechanics of survival.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.
Cross-references
- Job 19:20 My skin and flesh cling to my bones; I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.
- Proverbs 17:22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
- 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.
- Psalms 6:8 Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity, for the LORD has heard my weeping.
- Psalms 32:3 When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long.
- Psalms 38:8 I am numb and badly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart.
- Psalms 6:6 I am weary from groaning; all night I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.