The Meaning of Psalms 138:3 Explained

Psalms 138:3

KJV: In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.

YLT: In the day I called, when Thou dost answer me, Thou dost strengthen me in my soul with strength.

Darby: In the day when I called thou answeredst me; thou didst encourage me with strength in my soul.

ASV: In the day that I called thou answeredst me, Thou didst encourage me with strength in my soul.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

In the day  when I cried  thou answeredst  me, [and] strengthenedst  me [with] strength  in my soul. 

What does Psalms 138:3 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 138:1-8 - The Most High Regards The Lowly
This is the first of a cycle of Davidic psalms, based on 2 Samuel 7:1-29. God's promised favors are the theme of devout thanksgiving. No idols could have achieved such generous and great results. Even God had outdone Himself by magnifying His word above His name. Prayer had played its part, for in the day that it was offered it had been answered. Even kings in their various spheres would add their praises, Psalms 138:4. Yet this would be only the beginning of wonders. God can never rest with an incomplete or an unfinished work. When He puts His hand to the salvation of a soul, He pledges Himself to perfect the good work until the day of Jesus Christ, Philippians 1:6. Trust God, amid all disappointment and heartache. He will wipe away all tears, explain all mysteries, and place the topstone on the structure of your life. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 138

1  David praises God for the truth of his word
4  He prophesies that the kings of the earth shall praise God
7  He professes his confidence in God

What do the individual words in Psalms 138:3 mean?

In the day when I cried out and You answered me [And] made me bold in my soul [with] strength
בְּי֣וֹם קָ֭רָֽאתִי וַֽתַּעֲנֵ֑נִי תַּרְהִבֵ֖נִי בְנַפְשִׁ֣י עֹֽז

בְּי֣וֹם  In  the  day 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.
קָ֭רָֽאתִי  when  I  cried  out 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: קָרָא  
Sense: to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim.
וַֽתַּעֲנֵ֑נִי  and  You  answered  me 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, second person masculine singular, first person common singular
Root: לְעַנּׄות 
Sense: to answer, respond, testify, speak, shout.
תַּרְהִבֵ֖נִי  [And]  made  me  bold 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, second person masculine singular, first person common singular
Root: רָהַב  
Sense: to behave proudly, act stormily or boisterously or arrogantly.
בְנַפְשִׁ֣י  in  my  soul 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: נֶפֶשׁ  
Sense: soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion.
עֹֽז  [with]  strength 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: עֹז  
Sense: might, strength.