Psalm 6/Notes/Lexical.v. 3.686842

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  • Since "dismay" is an emotion, and since bones can refer to the "seat of the emotions,"[1] it is likely that "bones" in Psalm 6 refers not only to the physical body, but (by synecdoche) to the whole person.[2] At the same time, the use of the image supports the idea that the psalmist is suffering physically. Bones were also thought to be "the seat of one's physical strength and health."[3]
  1. ↑ Cf. HALOT, TWOT. E.g., Ps. 51:10
  2. ↑ Cf. SDBH's entry (f): "literally: (one's) bones, extended to denote the entire person; hence: a reference to one's self."
  3. ↑ Cf. NIDOTTE.