The term "declineth" is an archaic form of the verb "decline," which means to turn away, to bend downwards, or to diminish in strength or quality. In the context of the Bible, "declineth" often refers to a turning away from righteousness, a waning of strength, or the setting of the sun, symbolizing the end of a day or a life. This term appears in various passages, illustrating both physical and spiritual connotations.

Physical Decline:

In the physical sense, "declineth" is used to describe the setting of the sun, marking the transition from day to night. This imagery is often employed to signify the passage of time and the inevitability of life's end. For instance, in Psalm 104:19, the psalmist speaks of the sun's setting as part of God's ordained order: "He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows when to set." Although the Berean Standard Bible does not use "declineth" in this verse, the concept is present in the depiction of the sun's daily journey.

Spiritual Decline:

Spiritually, "declineth" is used to describe a turning away from God's commandments or a loss of spiritual fervor. In Psalm 119:51, the psalmist declares, "The arrogant utterly deride me, but I do not turn from Your law." Here, the steadfastness of the psalmist contrasts with the potential to "decline" from God's statutes, emphasizing the importance of remaining faithful despite external pressures.

Proverbs 4:5-7 provides wisdom on avoiding spiritual decline: "Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you. Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding." The admonition to not "turn from" wisdom underscores the danger of spiritual decline and the necessity of actively pursuing godly wisdom.

Moral and Ethical Decline:

The concept of moral and ethical decline is also present in the Bible. In Isaiah 1:4, the prophet laments the spiritual state of Israel: "Alas, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children of corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him." The turning away from God and His commandments is a central theme in the prophetic literature, warning of the consequences of moral decline.

Metaphorical Usage:

The metaphorical use of "declineth" can also be seen in the context of aging and the brevity of life. In Psalm 102:11, the psalmist reflects on the fleeting nature of life: "My days are like lengthening shadows, and I wither away like grass." The imagery of shadows lengthening as the day "declineth" serves as a poignant reminder of human mortality and the urgency of living a life aligned with God's will.

Conclusion:

The term "declineth" in the Bible serves as a multifaceted symbol, representing both the natural order of creation and the spiritual and moral challenges faced by humanity. Whether describing the setting sun, the potential for spiritual backsliding, or the inevitability of aging, "declineth" calls believers to remain vigilant in their faith and steadfast in their commitment to God's commandments.

The Friend Whose Years do not Fail. Rev. W. Arthur, MA
... "My days are like a shadow that declineth, I am withered like grass." The Bible
makes everything preach"it makes the sparrow preach and the bush preach, and ...
/.../king/the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/the friend whose years do.htm

Against Foolish Talking and Jesting.
... it never quenching natural light or cancelling the dictates of sound reason, but
confirming and improving them); so it carefully declineth them, enjoining us ...
/.../against foolish talking and jesting.htm

Morning
... Which the hours present; Who can tell the sadness. Of a day mis-spent? Day by day
declineth,. Time is getting hoar; Soon yon sun that shineth. Sets for evermore ...
//christianbookshelf.org/brownlie/hymns of the early church/morning.htm

Discipline
... When the sun of fortune shineth. Long and brightly on the heart,. Soon its
fruitfulness declineth,. Parched and dry in every part. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/borthwick/hymns from the land of luther/discipline.htm

He Argues against Adversaries Concerning the Heaven of Heavens.
... of Him only?" Since Thou, O God, showest Thyself unto him, and sufficest him, who
loveth Thee as much as Thou commandest, and, therefore, he declineth not from ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter xv he argues against adversaries.htm

M. Anonymous. Pray Without Ceasing.
... 1 Go when the morning shineth, Go when the noon is bright, Go when the eve declineth,
Go in the hush of night; Go with pure mind and feeling, Put earthly ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/97 7 & 6s m.htm

Close of Worship. Evening.
... Evening. 1 Lo! the day of rest declineth; Gather fast the shades of night" May
the Sun that ever shineth, Fill our souls with heavenly light. ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/91 close of worship.htm

Pray Without Ceasing.
... 1 Go when the morning shineth, Go when the noon is bright, Go when the eve declineth,
Go in the hush of night; Go with pure mind and feeling, Cast earthly ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/373 pray without ceasing.htm

Whether Negligence is Opposed to Prudence?
... Reply to Objection 4: The fear of God helps us to avoid all sins, because according
to Prov.15:27, "by the fear of the Lord everyone declineth from evil ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether negligence is opposed to.htm

Whether the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost are Suitably Enumerated?
... the fear of dangers; and against inordinate lust for pleasures, by "fear," according
to Prov.15:27: "By the fear of the Lord every one declineth from evil ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the seven gifts of.htm

Declineth (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Declineth (4 Occurrences). ... (ASV JPS). Psalms 102:11 My
days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass. ...
/d/declineth.htm - 7k

Lengthening (5 Occurrences)
... Psalms 102:11 My days are like a shadow that declineth; And I am withered
like grass. (See JPS). Jeremiah 6:4 Prepare war against her. ...
/l/lengthening.htm - 8k

Tossed (19 Occurrences)
... eyes. (WEB ASV). Psalms 109:23 I am gone like the shadow when it declineth:
I am tossed up and down as the locust. (KJV ASV DBY WBS). ...
/t/tossed.htm - 12k

Declines (2 Occurrences)

/d/declines.htm - 7k

Declining (3 Occurrences)

/d/declining.htm - 7k

Daylight (24 Occurrences)
... up at noon!' 'Woe unto us! for the day declineth, for the shadows of the
evening are stretched out!' (See NIV). Amos 8:9 And it will ...
/d/daylight.htm - 13k

Tarry (62 Occurrences)
... in the morning on the fifth day to depart; and the damsel's father said, Strengthen
thy heart, I pray thee, and tarry ye until the day declineth; and they did ...
/t/tarry.htm - 25k

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