Psalm 38
Psalm 38 is a penitential psalm attributed to David, expressing deep sorrow for sin, physical suffering, and emotional turmoil. The psalmist pleads for God's mercy and help, recognizing the consequences of sin in his life. It reflects personal repentance, guilt, and the need for divine intervention amidst opposition and isolation.
Psalm 38:1-10 (NKJV)
1 O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your wrath,
Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure!
2 For Your arrows pierce me deeply,
And Your hand presses me down.
3 There is no soundness in my flesh
Because of Your anger,
Nor any health in my bones
Because of my sin.
4 For my iniquities have gone over my head;
Like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.
5 My wounds are foul and festering
Because of my foolishness.
6 I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly;
I go mourning all the day long.
7 For my loins are full of inflammation,
And there is no soundness in my flesh.
8 I am feeble and severely broken;
I groan because of the turmoil of my heart.
9 Lord, all my desire is before You;
And my sighing is not hidden from You.
10 My heart pants, my strength fails me;
As for the light of my eyes, it also has gone from me.
David pleads for God's mercy, acknowledging the pain of both spiritual guilt and physical suffering. He feels overwhelmed, as if pierced by divine arrows. His sin is described as a heavy burden, beyond his ability to bear. The psalmist connects his inner anguish to the deterioration of his body, emphasizing how sin impacts both soul and flesh. David confesses his brokenness and mourns continually, feeling crushed and feeble. His only hope is that God sees his inner sorrow and desire for restoration.
Psalm 38:11-14 (NKJV)
11 My loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague,
And my relatives stand afar off.
12 Those also who seek my life lay snares for me;
Those who seek my hurt speak of destruction,
And plan deception all the day long.
13 But I, like a deaf man, do not hear;
And I am like a mute who does not open his mouth.
14 Thus I am like a man who does not hear,
And in whose mouth is no response.
David laments the loneliness caused by his suffering. Even his loved ones avoid him, leaving him isolated. Meanwhile, his enemies plot against him, taking advantage of his vulnerable state. David, however, chooses not to respond to their attacks, likening himself to a deaf or mute person. This silence reflects his reliance on God for deliverance rather than defending himself.
Psalm 38:15-20 (NKJV)
15 For in You, O Lord, I hope;
You will hear, O Lord my God.
16 For I said, “Hear me, lest they rejoice over me,
Lest, when my foot slips, they exalt themselves against me.”
17 For I am ready to fall,
And my sorrow is continually before me.
18 For I will declare my iniquity;
I will be in anguish over my sin.
19 But my enemies are vigorous, and they are strong;
And those who hate me wrongfully have multiplied.
20 Those also who render evil for good,
They are my adversaries, because I follow what is good.
Despite his suffering, David expresses hope in God's intervention. He pleads for God's help, fearing his enemies' triumph if he falters. David remains painfully aware of his sin and its consequences, confessing his guilt openly. His enemies are relentless, opposing him despite his efforts to do good. This contrast between his repentance and their hostility highlights the injustice he faces.
Psalm 38:21-22 (NKJV)
21 Do not forsake me, O Lord;
O my God, be not far from me!
22 Make haste to help me,
O Lord, my salvation!
David ends the psalm with a desperate plea for God’s presence and deliverance. He recognizes that only God can rescue him from his dire situation. His cry for God not to abandon him reveals his deep reliance on divine mercy. David’s hope rests in God’s nearness and salvation, affirming his trust even in the midst of overwhelming distress.