Bible Commentaries
Psalms 38

Verse 1

Title. A Psalm = Mizmor. See App-65 .

of David = by David.

to bring to remembrance. Used on the Day of Atonement.

This group of four Psalms closes the first book, and is similar in character to the four that end the second book.

Compare Psalms 38:0 Title (Psalms 38:1 ) with Psalms 70:0 Title (Psalms 70:1 ).

Compare Psalms 38:4 , Psalms 38:11 , Psalms 38:22 with Psalms 69:1 , Psalms 69:2 , Psalms 69:8 , Psalms 69:13 .

Compare Psalms 40:2 , Psalms 40:3 , Psalms 40:6 , Psalms 40:13-17 , with Psalms 69:14 , Psalms 69:30 , Psalms 69:31 .

Compare Psalms 41:1 with Psalms 72:13 .

Compare Psalms 41:2 , Psalms 41:3 , Psalms 41:7 , Psalms 41:8 , with Psalms 71:10 , Psalms 71:13 , Psalms 71:18 .

Compare Psalms 41:7 , Psalms 41:8 , with Psalms 71:10-11 .

Compare Psalms 41:13 with Psalms 72:18 , Psalms 72:19 .

LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 2

arrows . . . hand. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

Verse 3

sin. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .

Verse 4

iniquities. Hebrew. 'aven. App-44 .

over mine head. The reference is to the burdens of porters and carriers, which often mount up and project over the head.

Verse 7

loathsome = burning.

Verse 8

by reason of the disquietness of my heart. Ginsburg suggests lavi' instead of lavi = "beyond the roaring of a lion".

Verse 9

LORD *. Primitive text was Jehovah. One of the 134 emendations of the Sopherim. App-32 .

Verse 10

strength. Strength to endure = vital strength. Hebrew. koh.

Verse 11

sore = stroke. Used of a leprous stroke.

kinsmen = neighbours.

Verse 12

life = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-9 .

lay snares. Some commentators make two lines in this verse; but the Hebrew accents make three: the first = the act , the second = the speech, the third = the motive.

Verse 14

man. Hebrew. 'Ish . App-14 .

Verse 15

hear = answer.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Verse 17

halt. Compare Psalms 35:15 and Genesis 32:31 .

Verse 18

sin. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .

Verse 20

evil. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .

To the chief Musician. See App-64 .

even to Jeduthun. See App-65 .