King James Version

What Does Psalms 38:8 Mean?

Psalms 38:8 in the King James Version says “I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 38 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Psalms 38:8 · KJV

Context

6

I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. troubled: Heb. wried

7

For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh.

8

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

9

Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.

10

My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me. is gone: Heb. is not with me

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Commentary

KJV Study 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).

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Historical & Cultural 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).

Reflection Questions

  1. Have you experienced spiritual suffering so intense it reduced you to wordless 'roaring' before God?
  2. Why does God sometimes allow His children to be 'crushed to powder' before bringing deliverance?
  3. How does David's brutal honesty about his broken state give you permission to bring your own devastation to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
נְפוּג֣וֹתִי1 of 7

“I am feeble”

H6313

to be sluggish

וְנִדְכֵּ֣יתִי2 of 7

“broken”

H1794

to collapse (phys. or mentally)

עַד3 of 7
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

מְאֹ֑ד4 of 7

“and sore”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

שָׁ֝אַ֗גְתִּי5 of 7

“I have roared”

H7580

to rumble or moan

מִֽנַּהֲמַ֥ת6 of 7

“by reason of the disquietness”

H5100

snarling

לִבִּֽי׃7 of 7

“of my heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 38:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 38:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 3:24Psalms 32:3Job 30:28Isaiah 59:11Psalms 22:1-2

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