Psalms38
New International Version
1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.
2 Your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down on me.
3 Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin.
4 My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.
5 My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly.
6 I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning.
7 My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body.
8 I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart.
9 All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.
10 My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes.
11 My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away.
12 Those who want to kill me set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they scheme and lie.
13 I am like the deaf, who cannot hear, like the mute, who cannot speak;
14 I have become like one who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply.
15 Lord, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God.
16 For I said, “Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.”
17 For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me.
18 I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.
19 Many have become my enemies without cause; those who hate me without reason are numerous.
20 Those who repay my good with evil lodge accusations against me, though I seek only to do what is good.
21 Lord, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God.
22 Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior.
Study
Psalms 38Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 38. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: God's displeasure at sin. (1–11). The psalmist's sufferings and prayers. (12–22).
vv1-11
Nothing will disquiet the heart of a good man so much as the sense of God's anger. The way to keep the heart quiet, is to keep ourselves in the love of God. But a sense of guilt is too heavy to bear; and would sink men into despair and ruin, unless removed by the pardoning mercy of God. If there were not sin in our souls, there would be no pain in our bones, no illness in our bodies. The guilt of sin is a burden to the whole creation, which groans under it. It will be a burden to the sinners themselves, when they are heavy-laden under it, or a burden of ruin, when it sinks them to hell. When we perceive our true condition, the Good Physician will be valued, sought, and obeyed. Yet many let their wounds rankle, because they delay to go to their merciful Friend. When, at any time, we are distempered in our bodies, we ought to remember how God has been dishonoured in and by our bodies. The groanings which cannot be uttered, are not hid from Him that searches the heart, and knows the mind of the Spirit. David, in his troubles, was a type of Christ in his agonies, of Christ on his cross, suffering and deserted.
vv12-22
Wicked men hate goodness, even when they benefit by it. David, in the complaints he makes of his enemies, seems to refer to Christ. But our enemies do us real mischief only when they drive us from God and our duty. The true believer's trouble will be made useful; he will learn to wait for his God, and will not seek relief from the world or himself. The less we notice the unkindness and injuries that are done us, the more we consult the quiet of our own minds. David's troubles were the chastisement and the consequence of his transgressions, whilst Christ suffered for our sins and ours only. What right can a sinner have to yield to impatience or anger, when mercifully corrected for his sins? David was very sensible of the present workings of corruption in him. Good men, by setting their sorrow continually before them, have been ready to fall; but by setting God always before them, they have kept their standing. If we are truly penitent for sin, that will make us patient under affliction. Nothing goes nearer to the heart of a believer when in affliction, than to be under the apprehension of God's deserting him; nor does any thing come more feelingly from his heart than this prayer, “Be not far from me.” The Lord will hasten to help those who trust in him as their salvation.
Key Words
מִזְמוֹר: properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
זָכַר: properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
יָכַח: to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict
קֶצֶף: a splinter (as chipped off); figuratively, rage or strife
יָסַר: to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct
חֵמָה: heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
חֵץ: properly, a piercer, i.e. an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of God) thunderbolt; the shaft of aspear
נָחַת: to sink, i.e. descend; causatively, to press or lead down
יָד: a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
Cross References
Psalms 38Identical plea in opening words to moderate the Lord's rebuke and hot displeasure in severe chastisement.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
David's silence before his accusers typifies Christ, who opened not His mouth under trial.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Like David, Christ when reviled did not revile in return but committed Himself to God.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Poetic imagery of divine judgments described as arrows sticking fast in the sufferer.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Iniquities described as passing over the head or overtaking the speaker as an overwhelming burden.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The Spirit helps in groans which cannot be uttered; all desire is open before God.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The penitent pattern of declaring one's iniquity to God to find relief and forgiveness.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The painful reality of close companions, kinsfolk, and familiar friends standing aloof in affliction.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel lament of becoming a dread to acquaintances and being abandoned by friends.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Lament concerning those who are numerous and hate the psalmist without cause or wrongfully.
Supported by JFB
Urgent plea for God not to be far off, but to hasten to help.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Pentateuchal background of God spending His arrows of judgment against rebellious people.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The psalmist's chosen silence and dumbness because he recognizes the affliction is from God.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The injustice of adversaries rewarding evil for good to the great spoiling of the soul.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Enemies rejoicing and magnifying themselves specifically when the speaker is ready to halt or slip.
Supported by JFB