To You, O LORD, I called
This phrase reflects the psalmist's direct appeal to God, emphasizing a personal relationship with the LORD. The use of "LORD" in all caps signifies the Hebrew name Yahweh, the covenant name of God, highlighting His faithfulness and eternal nature. This calling upon the LORD is a common theme in the Psalms, where the psalmist often turns to God in times of distress (e.g., Psalm 18:6, Psalm 86:7). It underscores the belief in God's responsiveness to His people's cries, a theme rooted in the history of Israel, such as when the Israelites cried out to God during their bondage in Egypt (Exodus 2:23-25).

and I begged my Lord for mercy:
The plea for mercy indicates a recognition of human frailty and the need for divine compassion. The term "my Lord" here is likely a reference to Adonai, a title that denotes God's sovereignty and authority. This appeal for mercy is not just a request for relief from physical or emotional distress but also an acknowledgment of the need for forgiveness and grace. The concept of mercy is central to the biblical narrative, as seen in God's dealings with Israel and His provision of atonement through the sacrificial system (Leviticus 16). In the New Testament, this mercy is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who embodies God's mercy and offers salvation to all who call upon Him (Titus 3:5, Hebrews 4:16). The psalmist's plea reflects a deep trust in God's character as merciful and compassionate, a theme echoed throughout Scripture (Psalm 103:8, Lamentations 3:22-23).

1. David
The author of Psalm 30, traditionally believed to be King David, who often called upon the Lord in times of distress and thanksgiving.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature, to whom David directs his plea.

3. The Temple
While not directly mentioned in this verse, Psalm 30 is often associated with the dedication of the temple, a place of worship and divine presence.

4. Mercy
A central theme in this verse, highlighting God's compassionate and forgiving nature.

5. Prayer
The act of calling upon the Lord, which is a significant event in the life of a believer, demonstrating dependence on God.The Importance of Prayer
David's example teaches us the necessity of turning to God in every circumstance, whether in distress or thanksgiving.

God's Mercy
Understanding that God's mercy is available to us encourages us to approach Him with confidence and humility.

Dependence on God
Recognizing our need for God's intervention in our lives fosters a deeper relationship with Him.

Consistency in Seeking God
Like David, we should consistently seek God, not only in times of trouble but as a regular part of our spiritual discipline.

Faith in God's Character
Trusting in God's unchanging nature and His promises provides peace and assurance in our prayers.1. What is the meaning of Psalm 30:8?

2. How does Psalm 30:8 demonstrate the importance of crying out to the Lord?

3. What can we learn about God's responsiveness from Psalm 30:8?

4. How does Psalm 30:8 connect with Philippians 4:6 on prayer?

5. How can Psalm 30:8 guide us in times of personal distress?

6. What steps can we take to incorporate Psalm 30:8 into daily prayer life?

7. What does Psalm 30:8 reveal about the nature of prayer in times of distress?

8. How does Psalm 30:8 illustrate the relationship between God and human suffering?

9. What historical context influenced the writing of Psalm 30:8?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 30?

11. What distinguishes mercy from grace?

12. How do Republican and Democrat views align with biblical social justice?

13. Psalm 116:1-2 claims God hears prayers--why then do many prayers seem to go unanswered?

14. In Nahum 1:2, how can God be both loving and yet described as jealous and avenging?To You, O LORD

David’s first words set the direction of his heart.

• He is not venting into the air; he is deliberately lifting his soul “to You, O LORD” (Psalm 25:1).

• By naming the covenant LORD (YHWH), he acknowledges the God who has always kept His promises—just as “I lift up my eyes to You, the One enthroned in heaven” (Psalm 123:1).

• Turning to God first is an act of faith; it confesses that “my help comes from the LORD” (Psalm 121:2).

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I called

Calling is more than thinking; it is intentionally crying out.

• “ In my distress I called upon the LORD” (Psalm 18:6). David knows the Lord hears actual words.

• Calling is invited: “Call to Me, and I will answer you” (Jeremiah 33:3).

• It is the believer’s instinct; when trouble rises, the voice rises to God, trusting His listening ear (Psalm 34:15).

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and I begged

The tone intensifies from calling to begging.

• Begging shows humility—no presumption, only need. “They ought always to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1).

• Like the tax collector who “beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ ” (Luke 18:13), David pleads, not negotiates.

• Persistence is welcomed; Psalm 86:7 reminds, “In the day of my distress I call on You, for You will answer me.”

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my Lord

The prayer pivots from the covenant name to a personal confession of ownership.

• “I said to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing’ ” (Psalm 16:2).

• The shift from corporate LORD to “my” Lord makes the relationship unmistakably personal, echoing Thomas’s cry, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).

• Submission is implied: if He is my Lord, I trust His verdict, timing, and ways.

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for mercy

Everything funnels into this single request.

• Mercy acknowledges guilt or inability; it asks God to act not because we deserve but because He is compassionate (Psalm 51:1).

• His mercies “never fail; they are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

• Believers still come “to the throne of grace…to receive mercy” (Hebrews 4:16), confident He delights to give it.

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summary

Psalm 30:8 captures a believer’s progression: eyes lifted exclusively to the covenant LORD, voice raised in urgent petition, heart bowed in personal submission, all culminating in a plea for mercy. It models how to approach God—directly, earnestly, humbly, and confidently—knowing He always hears and responds in steadfast love.

(8) I cried to thee.--The very words of "this utter agony of prayer" are given. But it is better to keep the futures in Psalm 30:8, instead of translating them as preterites, and make the quotation begin here. So Symmachus, "Then I said, I will cry to thee, O Lord," &c

Verse 8. -

1 cried to thee, O Lord; and unto thee I made supplication (comp. 2 Samuel 24:17; 1 Chronicles 21:17). The part of his prayer most honourable to David is not recorded by himself, but by the historians. He tells us of his secret wrestlings with God, his complaints and expostulations - his cries and pleadings as they remained in his memory; he passes over the desire to die for his people, which the historians put on record.

Parallel Commentaries ...

To You,
אֵלֶ֣יךָ (’ê·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

O LORD,
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

I called,
אֶקְרָ֑א (’eq·rā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

and
וְאֶל־ (wə·’el-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

I begged
אֶתְחַנָּֽן׃ (’eṯ·ḥan·nān)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2603: To bend, stoop in kindness to an inferior, to favor, bestow, to implore

my Lord {for mercy}:
אֲ֝דֹנָ֗י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord


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OT Poetry: Psalm 30:8 I cried to you Yahweh (Psalm Ps Psa.)