My knees are weak from fasting, and my body grows lean and gaunt. My knees are weakThe phrase "My knees are weak" conveys a vivid image of physical frailty and exhaustion. In the Hebrew context, knees often symbolize strength and stability. The weakening of the knees indicates a profound depletion of energy and vitality. This imagery is consistent with the ancient Near Eastern understanding of the body, where the knees were seen as essential for standing firm and moving forward. The psalmist's weakened knees reflect a state of vulnerability and dependence on God, emphasizing the depth of his distress and the earnestness of his supplication. from fasting
"From fasting" highlights the spiritual discipline of abstaining from food, a practice deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. Fasting was often associated with mourning, repentance, and seeking divine intervention. In the Hebrew Bible, fasting is a means of humbling oneself before God, demonstrating sincerity and urgency in prayer. The psalmist's fasting underscores his desperation and the intensity of his plea for deliverance. It is a physical manifestation of his spiritual struggle, showing his willingness to sacrifice bodily comfort for the sake of spiritual breakthrough. and my body grows lean and gaunt
The description "and my body grows lean and gaunt" paints a picture of physical deterioration. The Hebrew words used here suggest a wasting away, a loss of flesh and strength. This imagery is not merely about physical appearance but signifies the toll that prolonged distress and spiritual warfare have taken on the psalmist. In the ancient world, a healthy, robust body was often seen as a sign of divine favor, while a gaunt appearance could indicate suffering or divine displeasure. The psalmist's condition reflects the severity of his trials and his reliance on God for restoration and vindication. This phrase serves as a poignant reminder of the cost of spiritual battles and the hope for renewal through divine intervention. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidTraditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 109, David is expressing his deep distress and physical weakness due to fasting and prayer. 2. EnemiesThe psalm is a plea for deliverance from adversaries who are unjustly attacking David. 3. FastingA spiritual discipline practiced by David, indicating his earnestness in seeking God's intervention. 4. GodThe ultimate source of strength and deliverance whom David is appealing to in his time of need. Teaching Points The Power of FastingFasting is a powerful spiritual discipline that can bring us closer to God and demonstrate our dependence on Him. Physical Weakness and Spiritual StrengthOur physical limitations can highlight our need for God's strength and provision. Perseverance in PrayerDespite physical weakness, we are called to persevere in prayer, trusting that God hears and responds. Empathy for the SufferingRecognizing our own vulnerabilities can increase our empathy and compassion for others who are suffering. Trust in God's DeliveranceEven when we feel weak and vulnerable, we can trust in God's ability to deliver and sustain us. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's experience of physical weakness in Psalm 109:24 relate to your own experiences of feeling weak or overwhelmed? 2. In what ways can fasting be a meaningful practice in your spiritual life today? 3. How does the concept of finding strength in weakness, as seen in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, apply to your current life circumstances? 4. What are some practical ways you can support others who are experiencing physical or spiritual weakness? 5. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's deliverance when facing adversities or challenges? Connections to Other Scriptures Isaiah 58Discusses the true purpose of fasting, emphasizing that it should be accompanied by righteous living and compassion. Matthew 4:2Jesus fasted for forty days and nights, showing the importance of fasting in spiritual preparation and reliance on God. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10Paul speaks about finding strength in weakness, which parallels David's reliance on God despite his physical frailty. People David, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Body, Bones, Failed, Faileth, Failing, Fasting, Fat, Fatness, Feeble, Flesh, Gaunt, Grown, Knees, Lacks, Lean, Lost, Thin, Totter, WeakDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 109:24 8431 fasting, reasons Psalm 109:21-25 5893 insults Library Psalm. Cix. 21. ; Micah, vi. 9
Psalm. cix. 21.; Micah, vi. 9. Sweet is Thy mercy, O my God! When humbled at Thy feet, I learn the lessons of Thy rod, Thy mercy, Lord, is sweet. For Thou dost not in wrath chastise, But when I go astray, "Return," a voice behind me cries, "Walk here;--this is the way." Impatient of Thine easy yoke, If heedless yet I roam, Some sharp affliction, with a stroke Of kindness, warns me home. That godly sorrow then I feel, Which nothing can control, Until the hand that wounded, heal, That bruised me, …
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and HymnsIf Anyone Shall Say that Jesus as Man is Only Energized by the Word Of...
If anyone shall say that Jesus as man is only energized by the Word of God, and that the glory of the Only-begotten is attributed to him as something not properly his: let him be anathema. Notes. Nestorius. VII. If any one says that the man who was formed of the Virgin is the Only-begotten, who was born from the bosom of the Father, before the morning star was (Ps. cix., 3) [256] , and does not rather confess that he has obtained the designation of Only-begotten on account of his connection with …
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils First Antiphon and Psalm
Third Tone (a ending) Chanter Dum esset rex Choir in accubitu suo, nardus mea dedit odorem suavitatis. Alleluia. Dixit Dominus (Psalm 109) 1. Dixit Dominus, Domino meo: Sede a dextris meis: 2. Donec ponam inimicos tuos, scabellum pedum tuorum. 3. Virgam virtutis tuae emitte Dominus ex Sion: dominare in medio inimicorum tuorem. 4. Tecum principium in die virtutis tuae in splendoribus sanctorum: ex utero ante luciferum genui te. 5. Juravit Dominus, et non paenitebit eum: Tu es sacerdos in aeternum …
Various—The St. Gregory Hymnal and Catholic Choir Book Prayer
But I give myself unto prayer.' Psa 109: 4. I shall not here expatiate upon prayer, as it will be considered more fully in the Lord's prayer. It is one thing to pray, and another thing to be given to prayer: he who prays frequently, is said to be given to prayer; as he who often distributes alms, is said to be given to charity. Prayer is a glorious ordinance, it is the soul's trading with heaven. God comes down to us by his Spirit, and we go up to him by prayer. What is prayer? It is an offering …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Fourteenth Day. Endurance in Contradiction.
"Who endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself."-- Heb. xii. 3. What endurance was this! Perfect truth in the midst of error; perfect love in the midst of ingratitude and coldness; perfect rectitude in the midst of perjury, violence, fraud; perfect constancy in the midst of contumely and desertion; perfect innocence, confronting every debased form of depravity and guilt; perfect patience, encountering every species of gross provocation--"oppressed and afflicted, He opened not His mouth!" …
John R. Macduff—The Mind of Jesus Ninth Day for God's Spirit on Our Mission Work
WHAT TO PRAY.--For God's Spirit on our Mission Work "The evangelisation of the world depends first of all upon a revival of prayer. Deeper than the need for men--ay, deep down at the bottom of our spiritless life, is the need for the forgotten secret of prevailing, world-wide prayer." "As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate Me Barnabas and Saul. Then when they had fasted and prayed, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed."--ACTS …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession Bunsen's Biblical Researches.
When geologists began to ask whether changes in the earth's structure might be explained by causes still in operation, they did not disprove the possibility of great convulsions, but they lessened necessity for imagining them. So, if a theologian has his eyes opened to the Divine energy as continuous and omnipresent, he lessens the sharp contrast of epochs in Revelation, but need not assume that the stream has never varied in its flow. Devotion raises time present into the sacredness of the past; …
Frederick Temple—Essays and Reviews: The Education of the World A Discourse of Mercifulness
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7 These verses, like the stairs of Solomon's temple, cause our ascent to the holy of holies. We are now mounting up a step higher. Blessed are the merciful . . '. There was never more need to preach of mercifulness than in these unmerciful times wherein we live. It is reported in the life of Chrysostom that he preached much on this subject of mercifulness, and for his much pressing Christians to mercy, he was called of many, the alms-preacher, …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 How Intent the Ruler Ought to be on Meditations in the Sacred Law.
But all this is duly executed by a ruler, if, inspired by the spirit of heavenly fear and love, he meditate daily on the precepts of Sacred Writ, that the words of Divine admonition may restore in him the power of solicitude and of provident circumspection with regard to the celestial life, which familiar intercourse with men continually destroys; and that one who is drawn to oldness of life by secular society may by the aspiration of compunction be ever renewed to love of the spiritual country. …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Water of Life;
OR, A DISCOURSE SHOWING THE RICHNESS AND GLORY OF THE GRACE AND SPIRIT OF THE GOSPEL, AS SET FORTH IN SCRIPTURE BY THIS TERM, THE WATER OF LIFE. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.'--Revelation 22:17 London: Printed for Nathanael Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1688. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Often, and in every age, the children of God have dared to doubt the sufficiency of divine grace; whether it was vast enough to reach their condition--to cleanse …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House Officers, Taxation, Publicans
It was the very busiest road in Palestine, on which the publican Levi Matthew sat at the receipt of "custom," when our Lord called him to the fellowship of the Gospel, and he then made that great feast to which he invited his fellow-publicans, that they also might see and hear Him in Whom he had found life and peace (Luke 5:29). For, it was the only truly international road of all those which passed through Palestine; indeed, it formed one of the great highways of the world's commerce. At the time …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 109:24 NIVPsalm 109:24 NLTPsalm 109:24 ESVPsalm 109:24 NASBPsalm 109:24 KJV
Psalm 109:24 Commentaries
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