Bible Strands
Psalms 30:8
To You, O LORD, I called, and I begged my Lord for mercy:
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses Yahweh directly following a shift from divine favor to divine withdrawal that caused dismay. This plea occurs at the moment of potential descent to the Pit, framing the prayer as urgent and immediate.
The words — The verb אֶקְרָא ('ek.Ra) means "I called out," paired with אֶתְחַנַּן ('et.cha.nan), which literally denotes "I sought favor" or "I begged for mercy." These terms establish the action as a direct appeal for divine intervention rather than a passive wish.
The thread — This pattern of urgent petition appears in Psalms 34:6 and Psalms 130:1, where the distressed cry out to the LORD from low places. It also aligns with the directive in Philippians 4:6 to present requests to God through prayer and petition.
Why it lands — The text demands a direct address to God when circumstances shift from stability to potential ruin. It requires the reader to voice specific petitions for mercy rather than remaining silent in despair.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
I cried to thee, O Lord; and unto the Lord I made supplication.
Cross-references
- Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
- Psalms 34:6 This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles.
- Psalms 130:1 A song of ascents. Out of the depths I cry to You, O LORD!
- Psalms 77:1 For the choirmaster. According to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph. I cried out to God; I cried aloud to God to hear me.
- 1 Corinthians 12:8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit,