Psalm 38 8

Psalm 38:8 kjv

I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.

Psalm 38:8 nkjv

I am feeble and severely broken; I groan because of the turmoil of my heart.

Psalm 38:8 niv

I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart.

Psalm 38:8 esv

I am feeble and crushed; I groan because of the tumult of my heart.

Psalm 38:8 nlt

I am exhausted and completely crushed.
My groans come from an anguished heart.

Psalm 38 verses

Psalm 38 8 Meaning

Psalm 38:8 articulates King David's profound state of physical exhaustion and severe spiritual anguish. He describes himself as utterly debilitated, crushed both outwardly in his body and inwardly in his spirit. This internal brokenness manifests as deep, involuntary groaning, driven by an overwhelming sense of inner chaos, turmoil, and distress within his heart, brought on by his sin and its painful consequences.

Psalm 38 8 Context

Psalm 38 is one of the seven penitential psalms (Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143), distinguished by their expressions of sin, guilt, and the plea for divine forgiveness. It is a heartfelt lament from David, detailing both physical illness and spiritual distress that he attributes directly to God's displeasure because of his sin. He describes the decay of his body, the pain he experiences, and the overwhelming weight of his transgressions. Furthermore, David faces abandonment by friends and betrayal by enemies, intensifying his isolation and suffering. The verse falls within a broader plea for God to not forsake him in his debilitated state, highlighting the holistic suffering—physical, emotional, and spiritual—that results from straying from God's ways.

Psalm 38 8 Word analysis

• I am feeble (נֶאֱלַמְתִּי - ne'elamti): This Hebrew word comes from the root ʾalam, meaning "to be silent," "to be speechless," or "to be dumbfounded." In this context, it signifies a profound state of helplessness, being rendered mute or inert by pain and despair. It's more than just physical weakness; it implies a complete lack of capacity to speak or act, a state of paralysis due to internal and external affliction. David is not merely tired; he is utterly disabled and silenced by his condition.
• and severely broken (נִדְכֵּיתִי - nidkê'ti): Derived from the root dāka', meaning "to crush," "to oppress," or "to bruise." The intensive verbal form indicates being thoroughly and profoundly crushed. This refers to being shattered, pulverized, or utterly vanquished, both physically (as from severe illness) and emotionally/spiritually. It speaks of a deep internal and external collapse, an experience of total defeat and oppression, leaving no strength or resilience.
• I groan (שָׁאַגְתִּי - sha'agti): From shā'ag, typically meaning "to roar" (like a lion) or "to bellow." This is not a quiet sigh or a whimper, but a deep, powerful, and involuntary sound of intense anguish and torment. It describes an outcry that bursts forth from the deepest part of one's being, like a raw, untamed expression of profound pain and suffering that cannot be contained.
• because of the disquietude (הֲמִיַּת - hamiyyat): From hămûlâ, meaning "a sound," "a roar," "a murmur," "a commotion," or "a multitude." In this context, "disquietude" captures the sense of internal chaos, the tumultuous and restless agitation of the heart and mind. It signifies a profound inner disturbance, a noisy, overwhelming turmoil within his innermost being, disrupting peace and composure.
• of my heart (לִבִּי - libbî): The Hebrew lev or lēvāv often refers to the core of a person—the seat of emotions, intellect, will, and conscience. It's the inner man, the spiritual and emotional center. So, the disquietude affects the very essence of David's being, the wellspring of his thoughts, feelings, and decisions, creating profound spiritual and emotional chaos.

Words-group analysis:

• "I am feeble and severely broken": This phrase together describes a state of total devastation. "Feeble" highlights physical and vocal incapacitation, while "severely broken" emphasizes a deep, complete crushing, physically and spiritually. It conveys utter helplessness and dissolution, a condition beyond ordinary weakness.
• "I groan because of the disquietude of my heart": This connects the audible, desperate cry (groaning) directly to its source: the internal, unbearable tumult (disquietude) within his soul. It reveals that the suffering is not merely external or superficial but originates from profound inner distress, the heart itself being in violent turmoil. This deep-seated internal pain is so intense that it forces an involuntary, animalistic roar of agony.

Psalm 38 8 Bonus section

• The intensity of the language used here, especially "groan" (roaring) and "disquietude" (tumult/noise), draws parallels with how animals express extreme distress, emphasizing the involuntary and desperate nature of David's suffering, almost reducing him to a basic survival instinct in his pain.
• This verse provides profound insight into the spiritual consequences of sin, demonstrating that sin not only damages one's relationship with God but can also inflict deep internal wounds, manifested in psychological and even physical symptoms, leading to great inner turmoil and absence of peace.
• The Psalm reminds believers that periods of intense spiritual and physical affliction can be divine chastisement meant to bring about repentance and a deeper reliance on God, echoing Proverbs and Hebrews. This suffering is not necessarily punitive destruction but corrective discipline, designed to purify and refine.

Psalm 38 8 Commentary

Psalm 38:8 portrays the psalmist's extreme and multi-layered suffering. It is a raw cry from a man consumed by both physical affliction and profound spiritual distress, seeing his condition as a direct consequence of his sin. David's physical feebleness is intertwined with a spiritual breaking; he is not just ill, but profoundly shattered in his very core. The "groaning" described is far more than a simple lament; it is a primal "roar" that wells up from the depths of his being, signifying the absolute extremity of his internal agony. This agonizing sound is a direct result of the "disquietude of his heart," an inner turmoil so chaotic and overwhelming that it deprives him of peace, quiet, or composure. It highlights how unaddressed sin and its consequences can permeate every aspect of a person's life, affecting the body, mind, and spirit. Yet, in uttering this cry, David implicitly appeals to God, demonstrating faith even in the lowest depths of despair. His vulnerability serves as a reminder that genuine repentance and true suffering involve an honest admission of one's utter brokenness before the Lord, with the hope of divine mercy and restoration.