Psalms 30:2

KJV

O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.

KJV (with Strong's)

O LORD {H3068} my God {H430}, I cried {H7768} unto thee, and thou hast healed {H7495} me.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI my God, I cried out to you, and you provided healing for me.

Berean Standard Bible

O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me.

American Standard Version

O Jehovah my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 30:2 stands as a powerful, personal declaration of thanksgiving from King David, testifying to a profound experience of divine intervention and restoration. It encapsulates the psalmist's journey from desperate supplication to triumphant praise, revealing a vibrant and intimate relationship with God. This verse serves as a foundational testament to God's immediate and effective response to earnest prayer, highlighting His sovereign power to deliver, restore, and bring comprehensive healing from life-threatening distress, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. It lays the groundwork for the psalm's overarching theme of exalting the Lord for His gracious preservation and steadfast love.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 30 is introduced by a unique superscription: "A Psalm and Song at the dedication of the house of David." This immediately sets a tone of profound gratitude and celebration, likely following a significant period of distress or a near-death experience from which David was miraculously spared. The psalm commences with David exalting the Lord for having "lifted me up" from the depths and preventing his enemies from gloating over him, as stated in [Psalms 30:1](/psalms/30-1 "Psalm 30:1 - God's Deliverance from Enemies"). Verse 2, "O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me," directly follows this opening declaration, providing the specific, personal testimony of the deliverance that prompted his initial praise. This personal confession then serves as the bedrock for the subsequent outpouring of praise, thanksgiving, and a communal call to worship the Lord that fills the remainder of the psalm, illustrating a common trajectory in the Psalter from lament and earnest prayer to joyous praise after God's faithful intervention.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "dedication of the house of David" in the superscription has been interpreted in various ways. While it could refer to the dedication of his physical palace, a more encompassing understanding suggests it refers to the dedication of his life or reign after a period of severe illness, or a life-threatening political or military crisis. In ancient Israel, illness, especially severe sickness, was often perceived as a sign of divine displeasure or a direct attack from spiritual forces. Conversely, recovery was a clear sign of God's favor, mercy, and active intervention. David's public testimony of healing would not only affirm God's supreme power but also reinforce his own legitimacy as king and God's continued covenant faithfulness to him. This context underscores the profound personal, theological, and public significance of divine healing and deliverance within the Israelite worldview, where God's intervention was seen as a direct demonstration of His sovereignty and care.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Healing and Restoration**, affirming God's ultimate power to heal and restore, whether from physical illness, spiritual brokenness, or perilous life circumstances. David's testimony is a vibrant affirmation of God as the ultimate physician and redeemer, echoing the declaration in [Exodus 15:26](/exodus/15-26 "Exodus 15:26 - God as the Healer") that the Lord is "Healer." Secondly, it underscores **The Power of Earnest Prayer**, demonstrating unequivocally that God hears and responds to the fervent cries of His people in their distress, transforming their lament into praise, as seen in numerous psalms like [Psalms 18:6](/psalms/18-6 "Psalm 18:6 - Calling on the Lord in Distress"). Thirdly, the intimate address "O LORD my God" emphasizes the **Personal and Covenantal Relationship with God**, revealing David's deep reliance and trust in the Almighty who has bound Himself to His people. Finally, the verse serves as a **Personal Testimony and Catalyst for Thanksgiving**, prompting David—and by extension, the community—to acknowledge God's goodness and faithfulness, encouraging others to trust in God's responsive and healing power, a theme beautifully articulated in [Psalms 103:2-3](/psalms/103-2 "Psalm 103:2-3 - Bless the Lord, Who Heals").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the Tetragrammaton (YHWH), the sacred, personal, and covenantal name of God, often rendered "Yahweh" or "Jehovah." Its use here emphasizes God's eternal, self-existent nature and His unchanging faithfulness to His promises and His people. When David addresses God as "O LORD," he is appealing to the God who has revealed Himself in covenant, the God who keeps His word and is intimately involved in the lives of His chosen ones. It signifies a relationship of profound trust and dependence on the God who *is* and who acts on behalf of His people.
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** This is a more general, plural noun for God, often used to highlight His power, sovereignty, and role as Creator and supreme ruler over all things. The combination "O LORD my God" (YHWH _ʼĕlôhîym_) is a powerful declaration, affirming both God's personal, covenantal relationship with David and His absolute, universal authority. It acknowledges that the one who heals is not merely a benevolent deity but the all-powerful, sovereign Lord of creation, capable of mighty acts.
* **cried (Hebrew, _shâvaʻ'_):** This primitive root means "to halloo (for help, i.e., freedom from some trouble); cry (aloud, out), shout." It indicates a fervent, often loud, cry for help, implying a state of distress, urgency, and vulnerability. It is not a casual request but an outpouring of the soul in a moment of dire need, signifying a desperate appeal for deliverance or liberation from a pressing affliction.
* **healed (Hebrew, _râphâʼ'_):** This primitive root means "to mend (by stitching), i.e. (figuratively) to cure." It carries a rich and broad semantic range beyond just physical cure. While it certainly encompasses making whole, mending, and restoring from illness, it can also refer to repairing, restoring, or making sound from any form of brokenness—whether physical, emotional, spiritual, or even national. In this context, it suggests a comprehensive restoration from a life-threatening or deeply distressing situation, encompassing not just the absence of illness but a return to wholeness and well-being.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"O LORD my God":** This opening phrase is an intimate and deeply personal address, characteristic of David's psalms. It signifies a profound, covenantal relationship where David not only acknowledges God's supreme authority and power ("LORD," "God") but also claims Him as his own ("my God"). This personal possessive pronoun indicates a deep sense of belonging, trust, and reliance on God as his ultimate source of help and salvation. It sets the tone for a prayer born out of a deeply personal and dependent relationship, emphasizing the psalmist's direct access to the Sovereign Creator.
* **"I cried unto thee":** This clause describes the psalmist's desperate and earnest supplication. The verb "cried" (_shâvaʻ_) implies a fervent, often loud, cry for help, indicating a state of distress, urgency, and vulnerability. It is not a casual or perfunctory request but an outpouring of the soul in a moment of dire need, signifying a complete reliance on divine intervention. This phrase underscores the power and necessity of direct, heartfelt prayer to God, emphasizing that David's deliverance was a direct response to his earnest appeal, a testament to God's attentiveness to His people's cries.
* **"and thou hast healed me":** This is the triumphant declaration of divine intervention and comprehensive restoration. It is a direct, declarative statement of accomplished fact, expressing the certainty and completeness of God's response. The "healing" here, as discussed in the Key Word Analysis, is multifaceted, signifying God's complete deliverance and restoration from whatever affliction or peril David faced. This clause serves as the powerful testimony that validates the psalmist's initial cry and forms the basis for his subsequent outpouring of praise and thanksgiving. It establishes a clear cause-and-effect relationship: David cried out in his distress, and God faithfully responded with healing and wholeness.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 30:2 is rich in its use of literary devices to convey its powerful message of divine intervention and thanksgiving. The opening "O LORD my God" employs **Apostrophe**, a direct address to an absent or abstract entity (in this case, God), immediately establishing an intimate and personal tone of communication with the divine. The entire verse functions as a **Testimony**, a personal recounting of God's faithfulness and intervention, which is a common and central feature in Thanksgiving Psalms. This testimony is presented in a clear **Cause-and-Effect** structure ("I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me"), highlighting the direct correlation between David's desperate prayer and God's immediate, effective response. The use of the past tense verbs ("cried," "healed") grounds the verse in a specific, experienced reality, lending it authenticity, weight, and a sense of accomplished salvation. Furthermore, the psalm as a whole embodies the **Genre of Thanksgiving Psalm**, moving from a recollection of distress to a celebration of deliverance, with this verse serving as the pivotal turning point and the core reason for the psalmist's profound gratitude.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 30:2 profoundly illustrates the biblical truth of God's active and compassionate involvement in the lives of His people, particularly His identity as the Divine Healer and faithful Responder to prayer. It affirms that God is not distant or indifferent but intimately concerned with the well-being of those who call upon Him in faith. This verse establishes a fundamental theological principle: genuine, heartfelt prayer in times of distress elicits a tangible, saving response from God. It highlights God's sovereignty over sickness, death, and all forms of human affliction, demonstrating His power to restore life and wholeness, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually. The psalmist's experience serves as an enduring witness to God's covenant faithfulness, reinforcing the assurance that those who belong to Him can confidently approach His throne of grace for mercy and help in time of need, knowing He hears and acts.

* [Psalms 18:6](/psalms/18-6 "Psalm 18:6 - The Lord Hears My Cry")
* [Exodus 15:26](/exodus/15-26 "Exodus 15:26 - God as the Healer")
* [Jeremiah 33:3](/jeremiah/33-3 "Jeremiah 33:3 - Call and I Will Answer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 30:2 offers timeless encouragement and profound practical guidance for believers navigating the inevitable challenges of life. It serves as a powerful reminder that in moments of deepest distress—whether facing physical illness, emotional turmoil, spiritual brokenness, or overwhelming circumstances—our first and most effective recourse is to cry out to the Lord, our God. David's intimate testimony invites us to cultivate a deep, personal, and trusting relationship with God, making Him our immediate confidant and ultimate source of help. Just as David moved from desperate plea to triumphant praise, we are called to not only bring our needs to God with earnestness but also to faithfully acknowledge and testify to His goodness and power when He intervenes. This verse inspires us to pray with unwavering faith, trust in God's sovereign ability to heal and restore in multifaceted ways, and then to give Him all the glory, sharing our stories of His faithfulness to strengthen the faith of others and magnify His holy name.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life do you currently need God's healing or restoration, and how can you articulate that need to Him?**
* **How does David's intimate address, "O LORD my God," challenge or deepen your understanding of your own personal relationship with the Almighty?**
* **What does "crying unto thee" truly look like in your own prayer life when you are in distress? Is it a last resort or your immediate, heartfelt first response?**
* **How has God "healed" or delivered you in the past, and how can you more intentionally testify to His goodness and faithfulness in your life today?**

### FAQ
**What kind of "healing" is implied in Psalms 30:2? Was it only physical?**

Answer: The Hebrew word for "healed" (_râphâʼ_) is broad and encompasses more than just physical cure. While David may indeed have been recovering from a severe physical illness, the term "healing" here can also refer to restoration from a life-threatening situation (e.g., a dangerous battle, a political conspiracy, or a period of intense grief), emotional or spiritual distress, or even the restoration of his reputation or reign. The broader context of the entire psalm, which speaks of being lifted from the pit and not allowing enemies to gloat over him ([Psalms 30:1](/psalms/30-1 "Psalm 30:1 - God's Deliverance from Enemies")), strongly suggests a comprehensive deliverance and restoration to wholeness across various aspects of his life. Therefore, the healing is likely multifaceted, encompassing physical, emotional, spiritual, and situational well-being, making the verse applicable to various forms of divine intervention in a believer's life.

**What is the significance of David calling God "my God"?**

Answer: The phrase "my God" (_ʼĕlôhîym_) signifies a deep, personal, and covenantal relationship. It's not just acknowledging God's existence or power in a general sense, but claiming Him as *his own* God, the one with whom he has a unique, intimate bond and who is uniquely faithful to him. This intimate possessive pronoun underscores David's profound trust, dependence, and the assurance that God is personally invested in his life and circumstances. It reflects the covenant relationship established between God and Israel, and specifically with David as king, where God promises to be their God and they, His people ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")). This personal claim empowers David's cry and grounds his expectation of God's faithful and powerful response, highlighting the relational aspect of divine intervention.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 30:2, with its declaration of God's healing and deliverance in response to a cry of distress, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While David experienced physical or situational healing, the New Testament reveals that humanity's deepest wound is sin, leading to spiritual death and eternal separation from God. Jesus, the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), came not merely to heal physical ailments, though He did so abundantly as seen in [Matthew 4:23](/matthew/4-23 "Matthew 4:23 - Jesus Heals Many"), but to provide ultimate spiritual healing through His atoning sacrifice on the cross. The prophet Isaiah foreshadowed this comprehensive healing when he declared that by His stripes, we are healed ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - The Suffering Servant")), a prophecy directly applied to Christ's redemptive work by Peter in [1 Peter 2:24](/1-peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - By His Wounds We Are Healed"). When we "cry unto" God through Christ, we receive not just temporary relief but eternal life and reconciliation with our Creator ([Romans 5:10](/romans/5-10 "Romans 5:10 - Reconciliation through Christ")). Jesus' resurrection from the grave is the ultimate act of God's healing power, conquering death itself and offering the promise of resurrection and complete restoration to all who believe in Him, as He declared in [John 11:25-26](/john/11-25 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"). Thus, David's personal testimony becomes a prophetic echo of the comprehensive, eternal healing and deliverance offered to all humanity through the finished work of Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 103:3

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

Psalms 103:4

Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

2 Kings 20:5

Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.

Psalms 6:2

Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I [am] weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

Psalms 147:3

He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

Exodus 15:26

And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I [am] the LORD that healeth thee.

Genesis 20:17

So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare [children].