Psalm 30 8

Psalm 30:8 kjv

I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.

Psalm 30:8 nkjv

I cried out to You, O LORD; And to the LORD I made supplication:

Psalm 30:8 niv

To you, LORD, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy:

Psalm 30:8 esv

To you, O LORD, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy:

Psalm 30:8 nlt

I cried out to you, O LORD.
I begged the Lord for mercy, saying,

Psalm 30 verses

Psalm 30 8 Meaning

Psalm 30:8 expresses the psalmist's deeply personal and fervent turning to God during a time of extreme distress, specifically when on the brink of death or severe affliction. It describes a two-fold action: an urgent, heartfelt "cry" (calling out) and a humble "supplication" (pleading for mercy or favor). This verse underscores absolute dependence on God as the sole source of deliverance, contrasting human helplessness with divine sovereignty.

Psalm 30 8 Context

Psalm 30 is a psalm of thanksgiving, specifically titled "A Psalm. A Song at the dedication of the house of David." While there's debate on the exact event, it describes David's personal experience of divine deliverance from a grave illness or mortal danger. Verses 1-5 give praise for God's mercy in lifting him from the "depths of the pit" (likely a metaphor for imminent death). Verses 6-7 contrast his former presumption or overconfidence during a period of prosperity, which he attributes to his undoing. Verse 8 describes the desperate moment during his suffering when he cried out to the Lord, which serves as the immediate precursor to the deliverance for which he now gives thanks. This prayer forms the turning point from distress to deliverance and undergirds the psalm's overall theme of remembering God's mercy after hardship.

Psalm 30 8 Word analysis

• To You, O Lord (לְךָ֙ יְהֹוָ֔ה - l'khah Adonai):
  • "To You" (לְךָ֙ - l'khah): Emphatically placed at the beginning, indicating a direct, singular, and intense address. The psalmist's focus is solely on God.
  • "O Lord" (יְהֹוָ֔ה - YHWH, commonly vocalized as Adonai): Refers to the covenant God of Israel. It emphasizes God's faithfulness to His promises and His personal relationship with His people. David is appealing to the God who is consistently trustworthy and true to His word.
• I cried (קָרָ֥אתִי - qarati):
  • A strong verb indicating a loud, urgent, and distressed call for help. It's not a casual prayer but an outpour of desperate need, often implying vocalization. This is the spontaneous outcry of a soul overwhelmed by suffering, seeking immediate divine intervention. It signifies the depth of his crisis and the earnestness of his appeal.
• And to the Lord (וְאֶל־אֲדֹנָ֥י - v'el-Adonai):
  • "And to" (וְאֶל־ - v'el-): Links the two actions of crying and supplicating, showing they are complementary aspects of his prayer.
  • "the Lord" (אֲדֹנָ֥י - Adonai): This term emphasizes God's sovereign mastery and authority. David addresses God not just by His covenant name but also as the ultimate controller of all things, acknowledging His power to intervene in his circumstances. The use of both YHWH and Adonai demonstrates a comprehensive appeal to God's character and omnipotence.
• I made supplication (אֶתְחַנָּֽן - etchannan):
  • From the root חנן (ḥānan), meaning "to be gracious," "to show favor," or "to pity." The Hithpael stem (intensive, reflexive) "I made supplication" means "I entreated for grace" or "I pleaded for mercy." This is a humble, earnest plea, acknowledging that any help received would be a gracious act, not something earned or deserved. It speaks of a dependent posture, a beggar asking for a favor from a sovereign.

Words-group analysis:

• "To You, O Lord, I cried, And to the Lord I made supplication": This poetic parallelism intensifies the action and emphasizes the totality of David's turning to God. "I cried" (a spontaneous outcry of desperation) is complemented by "I made supplication" (a more deliberate, humble appeal for grace). Together, these phrases depict a complete turning to God, addressing His character as both the faithful Covenant Keeper and the sovereign Master, pleading for His gracious intervention in a moment of dire need. It represents a raw, genuine heart cry coupled with a recognition of God's majesty and grace.

Psalm 30 8 Bonus section

• The repetitive structure in Hebrew poetry, common here with "To You, O Lord" and "And to the Lord," emphasizes the intensity and singularity of the psalmist's focus on God. It leaves no doubt about who he was appealing to.
• This verse captures a shift from human self-reliance (as subtly hinted in vv. 6-7 regarding prosperity) back to divine dependence, which is a key theme throughout David's psalms. His previous assumption that his "mountain stands strong" without fear of being moved was shattered by affliction, forcing him back to the essential truth of relying solely on God.
• The "crying" is akin to the sound of a desperate animal, raw and immediate, while "supplication" suggests a more structured and earnest appeal for grace. Together, they demonstrate the full range of prayer, from instinctual anguish to thoughtful entreaty.
• The location of this verse in the psalm's narrative is critical: it’s the bridge between David’s recounting of his affliction and his specific arguments and requests (e.g., "What profit is there in my blood...?" in v.9). This shows that his initial response to suffering was immediate, direct, and unreserved prayer to the Lord.

Psalm 30 8 Commentary

Psalm 30:8 portrays a moment of profound spiritual crisis where the psalmist, recognizing his complete helplessness, engaged in desperate, unreserved communication with God. It was a cry born of the pain and terror of impending death, coupled with a humble and persistent plea for divine mercy and favor. This prayer highlights that true turning to God often happens at the breaking point of human self-sufficiency. It signifies more than just asking for help; it's an acknowledgment of God's absolute sovereignty and grace as the only way out of impossible circumstances. This verse serves as a reminder that direct, heartfelt prayer, even in its rawness, is the posture God desires from His children in distress, setting the stage for His eventual deliverance and subsequent thanksgiving.