Texts in Conversation
Lamentations 2 and Psalm 57 describe the liver as a source of emotion, a belief shared in ancient Near Eastern and Biblical literature. Lamentations describes the liver “poured out on the ground” in grief, while Psalm 57 shows it prepared to give praise.
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Lamentations 2:11
Hebrew Bible
10 י (Yod) The elders of Daughter Zion sit on the ground in silence. They have thrown dirt on their heads; they have dressed in sackcloth. Jerusalem’s young women stare down at the ground. 11 כ (Kaf) My eyes are worn out from weeping; my stomach is in knots. My liver59 is poured out on the ground due to the destruction of my helpless people; children and infants faint in the town squares. 12 ל (Lamed) Children say to their mothers, “Where are food and drink?” They faint like a wounded warrior in the city squares. They die slowly in their mothers’ arms.
Psalm 57:8
Hebrew Bible
7 I am determined, O God. I am determined. I will sing and praise you. 8 Awake, my liver21! Awake, O stringed instrument and harp! I will wake up at dawn. 9 I will give you thanks before the nations, O Lord. I will sing praises to you before foreigners.
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Notes and References
"... the spilling liver has elicited a number of interpretative translations: “My heart is poured out” (NIV; NASB); “My being melts away” (JPS); “My spirit is torn asunder”; “My very grief is poured out.” Despite their differences, each interpretation understands the liver to be the seat of human emotions, an assumption confirmed by the surrounding context and its frequent use ..."
Walker, Justin
The Power of Images: The Poetics of Violence in Lamentations 2 and Ancient Near Eastern Art
(p. 80) Peeters, 2022
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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