What Does Psalm 13:3 Mean in the King James?

Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;

Psalm 13:3 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The plea binds being seen, being answered, and seeing again into one movement away from death.

THE MEANING

The verse speaks from a moment when death feels close enough to be slept into, naming the threat without disguise. The plea joins God’s regard and answer with light returning to the eyes, holding open the possibility that darkness is not the final condition.

THE ROOT

הָאִירָה

ha'irah

GROWS FROM

א־ו־ר

ʾ-w-r

Light; to become bright or shine, and in this verb, to illuminate.

“lighten” in this verse is ha'irah. The verb asks for the eyes to be made light. Its root also names light itself and a light-bearing luminary, so the image reaches beyond comfort: perception is being lit. Here, opened eyes stand against the feared sleep of death.

ALSO GROWS

or: Light

אוֹר

The noun shares the verb’s root, joining the request to illuminate the eyes with light itself.

ma'or: Luminary; a bearer of light

מָאוֹר

This branch makes visible the root’s movement from light to what carries light, deepening the image of sight receiving illumination.

THE PATTERN

Light opens the way for seeing and life where darkness threatens to close them.

For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

Psalm 36:9 · KJVThe same root ⁨אור⁩ joins life, divine light, and seeing in one line.

For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.

Psalm 18:28 · KJVLight is kindled against darkness, echoing the plea for the eyes to be illuminated.

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 1:4 · KJVLife and light are joined, as the verse’s appeal sets illumination against the threat of death.

THE THREAD

For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

Psalm 36:9 · KJV

Both verses place seeing and light together, and the Hebrew root ⁨אור⁩ appears in both. Psalm 13 asks for the eyes to be illuminated as death draws near; Psalm 36 names seeing light within God’s light as a source of life.

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