O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.
There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.
For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.
I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.
For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh.
I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.
Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.
My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.
My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.
They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.
But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.
Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs.
For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.
For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.
For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me.
For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.
But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.
Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not far from me.
Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.
Psalms 38 is a poignant expression of David's deep anguish, guilt, and confession before God. Sharing similarities with Psalms 32, it delves into the profound impact of sin on a believer's life, particularly the pain experienced under God's conviction. Many scholars believe this psalm reflects David's remorse following his sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of her husband, Uriah (2_Samuel 12:7–9), echoing the sentiments found in Psalms 51. In this psalm, David implores God for forgiveness and healing, offering a raw and honest portrayal of his suffering.
The Weight of Sin and the Pain of Conviction (38:1-8)
David's psalm opens with a desperate cry for mercy, acknowledging the Lord's rebuke (38:1). He vividly describes his suffering, using metaphors like being pierced by arrows to represent the depth of his pain. This isn't merely physical discomfort; it's a profound sense of misery stemming from his sin and the weight of God's hand upon him. David employs powerful imagery of illness, weakened bones, overwhelming burdens, rotting flesh, crippling ailments, mourning, and fever to illustrate the anguish that consumes him (38:2-8). He recognizes that his "iniquities" and "foolishness" (as Tony Evans puts it) have brought about this divine discipline. The physical distress mirrors the turmoil within his heart, a direct consequence of his transgression.
Isolation and Vulnerability (38:9-12)
David's suffering is not a private affair; it's open and exposed (38:9-10). He finds himself increasingly isolated. Loved ones and friends, perhaps shocked by his sin or overwhelmed by his sudden decline, avoid him (38:11). Simultaneously, his enemies seize the opportunity to exploit his vulnerability, plotting treachery against him (38:12). He has no one to turn to but God.
Hope in the Midst of Despair (38:13-20)
In his distress, David appears deaf and mute to his critics, offering no defense. This silence could stem from his inability to respond due to overwhelming suffering, or it might be a conscious choice born of humility and acceptance of God's will. He understands that only God can deliver him from this situation. David places his "hope in you, LORD" (38:15), recognizing his own helplessness. He acknowledges his sin and confesses his repentance (38:18). He understands that his enemies are too powerful for him, and that only God can deal with both his sin and his adversaries.
A Plea for Salvation (38:21-22)
The psalm concludes with another heartfelt plea for God's mercy. David begs God not to forsake him but to hasten to his aid: "Hurry to help me, my Lord, my salvation" (38:22). Even in this desperate cry, he expresses unwavering faith that God is his ultimate salvation. David doesn't just need salvation; he needs God Himself to be his salvation. This is a powerful reminder that in our darkest moments, God is not merely a provider of solutions but the very source of our hope and deliverance.
Psalms 38 offers a powerful and relatable portrayal of the consequences of sin and the path to restoration. It reminds us that even in the midst of immense suffering and isolation, hope remains in the unwavering mercy and saving power of God.
O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.
There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.
For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.
I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.
For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh.
I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.
Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.
My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.
My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.
They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.
But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.
Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs.
For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.
For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.
For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me.
For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.
But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.
Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not far from me.
Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.
Psalms 38 is a poignant expression of David's deep anguish, guilt, and confession before God. Sharing similarities with Psalms 32, it delves into the profound impact of sin on a believer's life, particularly the pain experienced under God's conviction. Many scholars believe this psalm reflects David's remorse following his sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of her husband, Uriah (2_Samuel 12:7–9), echoing the sentiments found in Psalms 51. In this psalm, David implores God for forgiveness and healing, offering a raw and honest portrayal of his suffering.
The Weight of Sin and the Pain of Conviction (38:1-8)
David's psalm opens with a desperate cry for mercy, acknowledging the Lord's rebuke (38:1). He vividly describes his suffering, using metaphors like being pierced by arrows to represent the depth of his pain. This isn't merely physical discomfort; it's a profound sense of misery stemming from his sin and the weight of God's hand upon him. David employs powerful imagery of illness, weakened bones, overwhelming burdens, rotting flesh, crippling ailments, mourning, and fever to illustrate the anguish that consumes him (38:2-8). He recognizes that his "iniquities" and "foolishness" (as Tony Evans puts it) have brought about this divine discipline. The physical distress mirrors the turmoil within his heart, a direct consequence of his transgression.
Isolation and Vulnerability (38:9-12)
David's suffering is not a private affair; it's open and exposed (38:9-10). He finds himself increasingly isolated. Loved ones and friends, perhaps shocked by his sin or overwhelmed by his sudden decline, avoid him (38:11). Simultaneously, his enemies seize the opportunity to exploit his vulnerability, plotting treachery against him (38:12). He has no one to turn to but God.
Hope in the Midst of Despair (38:13-20)
In his distress, David appears deaf and mute to his critics, offering no defense. This silence could stem from his inability to respond due to overwhelming suffering, or it might be a conscious choice born of humility and acceptance of God's will. He understands that only God can deliver him from this situation. David places his "hope in you, LORD" (38:15), recognizing his own helplessness. He acknowledges his sin and confesses his repentance (38:18). He understands that his enemies are too powerful for him, and that only God can deal with both his sin and his adversaries.
A Plea for Salvation (38:21-22)
The psalm concludes with another heartfelt plea for God's mercy. David begs God not to forsake him but to hasten to his aid: "Hurry to help me, my Lord, my salvation" (38:22). Even in this desperate cry, he expresses unwavering faith that God is his ultimate salvation. David doesn't just need salvation; he needs God Himself to be his salvation. This is a powerful reminder that in our darkest moments, God is not merely a provider of solutions but the very source of our hope and deliverance.
Psalms 38 offers a powerful and relatable portrayal of the consequences of sin and the path to restoration. It reminds us that even in the midst of immense suffering and isolation, hope remains in the unwavering mercy and saving power of God.