Psalms 38:8
I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.
Original Language Analysis
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
3 of 7
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
מְאֹ֑ד
and sore
H3966
מְאֹ֑ד
and sore
Strong's:
H3966
Word #:
4 of 7
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
Historical Context
The progression in verses 1-8 mirrors the stages of serious illness: onset of symptoms → spreading infection → systemic failure → delirium. Ancient readers would recognize this as potentially fatal. The 'roaring' suggests not articulate speech but wordless groaning—when suffering transcends language, the Spirit intercedes (Romans 8:26).
Questions for Reflection
- Have you experienced spiritual suffering so intense it reduced you to wordless 'roaring' before God?
- Why does God sometimes allow His children to be 'crushed to powder' before bringing deliverance?
- How does David's brutal honesty about his broken state give you permission to bring your own devastation to God?
Analysis & Commentary
I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart. David reaches the nadir: feeble (פּוּג, pug, numb/torpid), sore broken (דָּכָה, dakah, crushed to powder), roared (שָׁאַג, sha'ag, groaning like a lion). The heart (לֵב, lev) lacks quietness—inner chaos erupts in animalistic groaning.
This vocabulary of total breakdown—numbness, pulverization, bestial roaring—depicts someone at the end of themselves. The 'roaring' recalls Job's lament (Job 3:24) and anticipates Jesus's anguished prayers (Hebrews 5:7). David has descended from royal dignity to wounded animal, yet this very extremity positions him for divine rescue. God draws near to the crushed (Psalm 34:18).