What Does Psalm 138:3 Mean?
The meaning of Psalm 138:3 is that when we call out to God in prayer, He hears us and answers with strength for our soul. This verse reminds us of God's faithfulness, as Psalm 34:17 says, 'When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.'
Psalm 138:3
On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.
Key Facts
Book
Author
David
Genre
Wisdom
Date
Approximately 1000 BC
Key People
- David
Key Themes
- God's faithfulness in answering prayer
- Divine strength renewing the inner being
- Gratitude and praise in response to God's loyalty
Key Takeaways
- God answers prayers with soul-deep strength, not just solutions.
- Calling on God brings inner renewal and lasting spiritual power.
- Trusting God’s response transforms how we face daily struggles.
God Hears and Strengthens
Psalm 138 is a song of thanks where David praises God for answering his prayers and showing loyal love.
In verse 3, when David says, 'On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased,' he’s sharing a personal moment of prayer where God didn’t just respond - He made David’s inner life stronger. This matches what Psalm 34:17 promises: 'When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles,' showing that God listens and lifts us up when we call.
How God Answers: More Than Just a Reply
The way Psalm 138:3 is written shows that God’s answer isn’t a quick response - it actually changes us deep inside.
The verse uses a poetic pattern where the second line builds on the first: 'On the day I called, you answered me' leads into 'my strength of soul you increased.' This isn’t repetition. It shows that God’s answer does more than reply - He strengthens our inner being, the part of us that feels worn down by fear, doubt, or pain. It’s like when Jesus says in Matthew 11:28, 'Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,' showing that divine help brings inner renewal. The very next verses in Psalm 138 go on to say that kings will praise God because of His glory, suggesting that when God lifts one person, it can impact many others too.
God doesn’t only hear our prayers - He answers in ways that build up our inner strength, often in ways that reach beyond us.
God Is Near When We Call
This verse shows us that God is not distant or indifferent but personally involved, answering prayers with inner strength.
As Psalm 34:17 says, 'When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles,' we see that God’s response flows from His faithful character. In Jesus, this promise reaches its full meaning - He is the one who cried out to the Father and was heard, and through Him, we receive strength for our souls too.
Strength Renewed: The Pattern of God’s Faithful Response
The way God answers prayer in Psalm 138:3 fits a larger pattern seen throughout Scripture, where calling on the Lord brings rescue but renewed inner strength.
This matches Isaiah 40:31, which says, 'But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.' As David experienced God strengthening his soul when he called, we too can expect that waiting on God refreshes us deep inside - not fixing our situation but renewing us through it. In everyday life, this might look like pausing to pray before a stressful meeting and finding unexpected calm, or choosing trust over fear when facing bad news, or quietly thanking God in the middle of a hard day and feeling a quiet boost of hope.
When we live like God truly answers with strength, we stop seeing prayer as a last resort and start depending on Him as our daily source of inner power.
Application
How This Changes Everything: Real Life Impact
I remember a friend who felt completely drained - overwhelmed at work, struggling in her marriage, and too ashamed to admit she was barely holding on. One morning, she finally whispered a simple prayer: 'God, I can’t do this anymore.' She didn’t expect an instant fix, but something shifted. It wasn’t that her problems vanished, but deep inside, she felt a quiet strength return, like a worn-out battery slowly recharging. That’s exactly what Psalm 138:3 describes - God answering with a solution and with soul strength. She later said, 'I realized I wasn’t alone, and that made all the difference.' This isn’t about dramatic miracles. It’s about God meeting us in the mess and renewing our inner resolve, as Isaiah 40:31 promises: 'They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.'
Personal Reflection
- When was the last time I called out to God in honesty, and how did I experience His presence or strength in return?
- Am I treating prayer as a last resort, or am I depending on God daily to strengthen my inner life?
- Where in my life do I most need God’s strength right now - fear, guilt, weariness - and am I inviting Him into that place?
A Challenge For You
This week, make it a habit to pause and pray honestly before one stressful moment each day - maybe before a tough conversation, a heavy workload, or family tension. Don’t ask for help. Ask God to strengthen your soul. Then, take a moment later to reflect: Did you sense a shift in your inner state? Even a small one?
A Prayer of Response
God, thank you that when I call, you really do answer. I don’t always feel it right away, but I believe you strengthen my soul even in quiet ways. When I’m worn down by fear or pressure, remind me that you’re near. Help me to lean on you, in big crises and in every small moment of need. Renew my strength today, as you promised.
Related Scriptures & Concepts
Immediate Context
Psalm 138:1-2
These verses set a tone of wholehearted praise, showing David’s devotion before recounting God’s answer in verse 3.
Psalm 138:4
Kings will praise God because of His glory, showing how one answered prayer can impact many.
Connections Across Scripture
Jeremiah 29:12
God promises to hear when we call, reinforcing the assurance found in Psalm 138:3.
Philippians 4:6-7
Prayer with thanksgiving brings God’s peace, echoing the soul-strengthening answer in Psalm 138:3.
James 5:16
The prayer of the righteous is powerful, affirming the effectiveness of calling on God as seen in David’s experience.
Glossary
language
called
A Hebrew expression meaning to cry out in prayer, emphasizing urgency and personal appeal to God.
answered me
Indicates God’s active and timely response to prayer, reflecting His attentiveness and faithfulness.
strength of soul
Refers to inner fortitude and spiritual vitality that God imparts when we call on Him.