Psalms 38:8

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

I am feeble {H6313} and sore {H3966} broken {H1794}{H8738)}: I have roared {H7580}{H8804)} by reason of the disquietness {H5100} of my heart {H3820}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I am numb, completely crushed; my anguished heart makes me groan aloud.

Berean Standard Bible

I am numb and badly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart.

American Standard Version

I am faint and sore bruised: I have groaned by reason of the disquietness of my heart.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 38:8 vividly expresses the psalmist's profound physical and emotional collapse, portraying a state of utter weakness and internal devastation that culminates in an involuntary, guttural cry. Situated within a penitential psalm, this verse powerfully communicates the overwhelming burden of suffering, likely stemming from the consequences of sin, and underscores the raw honesty with which the psalmist brings his brokenness and disquieted heart before God. It serves as a poignant testament to the depth of human anguish and the permissible freedom of lament within a covenant relationship with the Divine.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 38 is one of the seven traditional penitential psalms, characterized by a deep lament over suffering, confession of sin, and an earnest appeal for God's mercy and healing. The psalm details the comprehensive consequences of sin, depicting the psalmist (traditionally David) as afflicted by severe illness, abandoned by friends, and pursued by enemies. Verse 8 functions as a climactic expression of personal agony, following a series of verses describing intense physical pain and divine chastisement, such as the "burning" and "rottenness" mentioned in [Psalms 38:7](/psalms/38-7 "Psalms 38:7 - Physical Ailment"). This verse marks the nadir of his distress before the psalmist shifts more explicitly to an appeal for divine help and deliverance in the latter half of the psalm, as seen in his plea for God not to forsake him in [Psalms 38:21](/psalms/38-21 "Psalms 38:21 - Do Not Forsake Me"). The "roaring" in this verse is not merely a sound but a visceral manifestation of the internal "disquietness" that has reached an unbearable threshold, reflecting the pervasive nature of his suffering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While Psalm 38 is traditionally attributed to David, specific historical circumstances are not provided, which allows its themes to resonate universally across time. However, it aligns with periods in David's life marked by significant sin and its severe repercussions, such as the national judgment following his census ([2 Samuel 24:10-17](/2_samuel/24-10-17 "2 Samuel 24:10-17 - David's Census and God's Judgment")) or the personal and familial turmoil after his affair with Bathsheba and the death of their child ([2 Samuel 12:15-18](/2_samuel/12-15-18 "2 Samuel 12:15-18 - The Death of David and Bathsheba's Child")). In ancient Israelite thought, suffering, particularly severe illness, was frequently understood as a direct consequence of sin or divine judgment, a perspective evident in the book of [Job](/job/1 "The Book of Job - Suffering and Righteousness") and even in the New Testament, as seen in the disciples' question to Jesus in [John 9:2](/john/9-2 "John 9:2 - Who Sinned?"). This cultural framework would have intensified the psalmist's anguish, leading to both physical and spiritual distress, while the public nature of sin within a covenant community often compounded feelings of shame and isolation.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 38, particularly verse 8, contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Psalter and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the **consequences of sin**, demonstrating how moral failure can lead to profound physical, emotional, and spiritual distress, underscoring the interconnectedness of these aspects of human existence. Secondly, it serves as a profound example of **lament**, providing a raw and honest model for expressing deep pain, brokenness, and inner turmoil directly to God without pretense. This encourages an authentic engagement with the divine presence even in the midst of suffering, a theme echoed throughout the Psalms, such as in [Psalms 13:1-2](/psalms/13-1-2 "Psalms 13:1-2 - How Long, O Lord?"). Thirdly, it highlights the theme of **divine discipline** and the underlying hope for **restoration**; despite the intense suffering, the psalmist's continued address to God signifies an enduring trust in His mercy and ability to heal, a hope that permeates passages like [Psalms 30:2](/psalms/30-2 "Psalms 30:2 - God's Healing Power") and [Psalms 103:3](/psalms/103-3 "Psalms 103:3 - Forgiveness and Healing").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Feeble (Hebrew, _pûwg'_):** This primitive root signifies a state of being "sluggish," "ceasing," or "fainting." It conveys not merely physical weakness but a profound sense of depletion, a loss of vitality, and an inability to act or sustain oneself. It suggests a complete prostration, where one's strength has entirely given out, leading to a state of utter collapse.
* **Broken (Hebrew, _dâkâh'_):** This word, a primitive root, means "to collapse (physically or mentally)," "to break (sore)," or "to be contrite." It describes being utterly shattered, crushed, or afflicted with a devastating blow that leaves one incapacitated and in immense pain. It implies a state beyond mere discomfort, pointing to profound, debilitating damage to one's being.
* **Disquietness (Hebrew, _nᵉhâmâh'_):** This feminine noun, derived from a root meaning "to snarl" or "to moan," denotes an internal "snarling" or "roaring." In this context, it refers to a deep inner turmoil, restlessness, agitation, and a profound lack of peace within the heart. It signifies a chaotic, troubled spirit that is the underlying cause of the psalmist's outward cries of distress.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I am feeble and sore broken:"** This opening clause establishes the psalmist's comprehensive state of distress. "Feeble" (H6313, _pûwg_) points to an extreme loss of strength and vitality, indicating a complete inability to function or support himself. "Sore broken" (H1794, _dâkâh_) intensifies this, suggesting that his feebleness is not merely a natural decline but the result of a severe, crushing blow, leaving him utterly shattered. This portrays a holistic breakdown—physical, emotional, and spiritual—where the individual feels completely undone and incapacitated, reflecting a state of profound vulnerability and helplessness.
* **"I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart."** This second clause explains the manifestation and underlying cause of his suffering. The "roaring" (H7580, _shâʼag_) is a visceral, uncontrollable cry of deep agony, akin to a wild animal's desperate sound, signifying that his pain has reached an unbearable threshold, beyond the capacity for articulate speech. The ultimate source of this outcry is "the disquietness of my heart" (H5100, _nᵉhâmâh_ and H3820, _lêb_), which refers to an intense internal turmoil, restlessness, and profound lack of peace within his innermost being. This "disquietness" points to a chaotic, troubled spirit, suggesting that his outward physical suffering is deeply intertwined with, or even a manifestation of, a profound internal struggle, likely stemming from guilt, anxiety, or spiritual distress.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 38:8 employs several potent literary devices to convey the profound depth of the psalmist's suffering. The phrase "I have roared" is a striking **Metaphor**, comparing the psalmist's cry of distress to the powerful, guttural sound of a lion. This vivid imagery conveys an overwhelming, uncontrollable, and primal expression of agony that transcends mere human speech, emphasizing the extreme nature of his pain. The description "feeble and sore broken" utilizes **Hyperbole** to underscore the intensity and totality of his physical and emotional collapse; while he may not be literally shattered, the language conveys a sense of complete incapacitation and devastation. Furthermore, the phrase "disquietness of my heart" employs **Metonymy**, where "heart" stands for the totality of the psalmist's inner being, encompassing his emotions, will, and intellect, thereby emphasizing that the turmoil originates from his deepest core. The cumulative effect of these devices is to create a powerful and empathetic **Imagery** of a soul in profound distress, struggling with both external affliction and internal turmoil.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 38:8 profoundly connects to the biblical understanding of human suffering, particularly when it is intertwined with sin and its consequences. It illustrates that the human experience of brokenness is not merely physical but deeply spiritual and emotional, affecting the very core of one's being, the "heart." The psalmist's raw lament demonstrates a crucial theological truth: God is not distant from our deepest anguish, nor is He offended by our honest, even guttural, cries of pain. Instead, the Psalms consistently invite believers to bring their full, unvarnished reality before God, trusting in His compassionate presence and ultimate sovereignty. This verse underscores the holistic nature of human existence, where spiritual health, physical well-being, and emotional stability are intricately linked, and disruption in one area often impacts the others. It also highlights the redemptive potential of lament, as voicing pain to God is often the first step towards healing and restoration, echoing the words of [James 5:16](/james/5-16 "James 5:16 - Confession and Healing").

* [Psalms 6:6](/psalms/6-6 "David's Weeping and Distress")
* [Psalms 32:3-5](/psalms/32-3-5 "The Burden of Unconfessed Sin")
* [Lamentations 3:19-20](/lamentations/3-19-20 "Remembering Affliction and Distress")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 38:8 offers profound permission and comfort for believers navigating their own seasons of suffering and inner turmoil. It validates the experience of feeling utterly broken, weak, and overwhelmed by internal disquiet, assuring us that such feelings are not only normal but can be honestly expressed to God. In a world that often pressures us to maintain composure or present a facade of strength, David's "roaring" heart reminds us that authentic faith includes the freedom to express raw, unedited anguish to God. This verse challenges us to resist the temptation to suppress our pain or pretend we are fine when we are not. Instead, it invites us into a deeper, more honest relationship with our Creator, who understands the depths of our "disquietness" and hears our cries, even when they are inarticulate or animalistic in their intensity. Embracing this truth can be a powerful step towards healing, as it acknowledges our dependence on God and opens the door for His compassionate presence to minister to our innermost being, transforming our lament into hope and peace that surpasses understanding.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you currently feel "feeble and sore broken," and how might you honestly express that vulnerability to God?**
* **What "disquietness of heart" might be causing you inner turmoil, and how does this verse encourage you to bring it before the Lord without reservation?**
* **How does the psalmist's raw expression of pain challenge your own understanding or practice of prayer and lament, particularly in moments of deep distress?**

### FAQ
**Does Psalm 38:8 imply that all suffering is a direct result of personal sin?**

Answer: While Psalm 38, particularly in its opening verses, does connect the psalmist's suffering to his sin (e.g., [Psalms 38:3-5](/psalms/38-3-5 "Psalms 38:3-5 - Consequences of Sin")), it is crucial to understand that the Bible presents a multifaceted view of suffering. Not all suffering is a direct consequence of personal sin. The book of [Job](/job/1 "The Book of Job - Suffering of the Righteous"), for instance, powerfully refutes the simplistic notion that suffering always equates to divine punishment for specific transgressions. Suffering can arise from living in a fallen world, the actions of others, natural causes, or even as a means of divine discipline, refinement, or preparation (e.g., [Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5-11 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - Discipline as a Sign of Sonship")). In Psalm 38:8, the "disquietness of heart" could certainly be linked to the burden of unconfessed sin, but it also speaks to a universal human experience of profound internal turmoil, which can have various origins. The verse primarily emphasizes the *experience* of suffering and the *expression* of lament, regardless of its ultimate cause, encouraging us to bring all our pain before God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 38:8 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest resonance in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While David's suffering was, in part, a consequence of his own sin, Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, bore the full weight of human sin and its devastating consequences, experiencing a depth of brokenness and disquiet far beyond what any human could endure. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus' soul was "exceeding sorrowful, even unto death" ([Matthew 26:38](/matthew/26-38 "Matthew 26:38 - Jesus' Anguish in Gethsemane")), and His sweat became like "great drops of blood" ([Luke 22:44](/luke/22-44 "Luke 22:44 - Jesus' Agony in Gethsemane")), a profound physical manifestation of His inner turmoil. On the cross, He cried out, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), a divine "roar" of dereliction as He became sin for us ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Jesus perfectly embodied the "feeble and sore broken" state, not due to His own sin, but as the one who "bore our griefs and carried our sorrows" ([Isaiah 53:4](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4 - The Suffering Servant")). Through His ultimate suffering and the "disquietness of His heart" on our behalf, He conquered sin and death, offering true peace and healing to all who are "feeble and sore broken" by the burden of sin and the brokenness of this world ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Jesus Gives Peace")). Thus, David's lament becomes a prophetic echo of the greater suffering of Christ, through whom our own cries of anguish are heard, understood, and ultimately redeemed, leading us to the comfort found in [1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - By His Wounds We Are Healed").

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

Job 3:24

For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters.

Psalms 32:3

When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.

Job 30:28

I went mourning without the sun: I stood up, [and] I cried in the congregation.

Isaiah 59:11

We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but [there is] none; for salvation, [but] it is far off from us.

Psalms 22:1

¶ To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? [why art thou so] far from helping me, [and from] the words of my roaring?

Psalms 22:2

O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.