Psalms 69:23

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

Psalms 69:23 (KJV)

Context

Psalm 69 is a lament of David, written during a time of deep distress. He cries out to God for deliverance from enemies who hate him without cause. The psalm uses strong poetic language to express both pain and trust. Verse 23 belongs to a series of judgments that David asks God to bring upon his adversaries. These verses are often called imprecatory prayers, because they call for divine justice rather than personal revenge.

Meaning

The phrase “Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not” is figurative. It describes a spiritual blindness that prevents enemies from understanding God’s truth or recognizing His work. This is not a prayer for physical harm, but for judicial blindness, so that they cannot perceive the error of their ways. The second phrase, “make their loins continually to shake,” uses the loins as a symbol of strength and stability. Shaking loins mean weakness, fear, and insecurity. Together, these words picture enemies who are confused, powerless, and unstable because they oppose God’s anointed servant.

Biblical connections

David’s experience points beyond himself to Christ, who was also rejected and persecuted. The New Testament applies a nearby verse, Psalm 69:25, to Judas Iscariot in Acts 1:20. This shows that David’s suffering prefigured the rejection of Jesus and His apostles. The judgment on enemies is not a personal wish for harm, but a plea for God to vindicate the righteous and to show the seriousness of opposing His purposes.

Application

This verse teaches believers to bring their deepest pains to God and to trust Him to act justly. We are not to take vengeance into our own hands, but to leave judgment to the Lord. It also warns that rejecting Christ leads to spiritual blindness. When people refuse to see the truth, their hearts can become hardened. As Christians, we should pray for our enemies, while also trusting that God will one day set all things right.

Reflection

Consider how you respond when you are mistreated. Do you seek revenge, or do you place your cause in God’s hands? This psalm encourages honest prayer, even when emotions are strong. It reminds us that God sees every wrong and will bring justice in His time. At the same time, it calls us to examine our own hearts, so that we do not become blind to God’s truth through pride or unbelief.