Bible Commentaries
Psalms 38

Introduction

PSALM 38

:-. To bring to remembrance, or, remind God of His mercy and himself of his sin. Appealing to God for relief from His heavy chastisement, the Psalmist avows his integrity before men, complains of the defection of friends and persecution of enemies, and in a submissive spirit, casting himself on God, with penitent confession he pleads God's covenant relation and his innocence of the charges of his enemies, and prays for divine comfort and help.

Verse 1

1-4. He deprecates deserved punishment, which is described ( :-), under the figure of bodily disease [ :-].

Verse 2

2. arrows . . . and thy hand—the sharp and heavy afflictions he suffered ( :-).

Verse 3

1-4. He deprecates deserved punishment, which is described ( :-), under the figure of bodily disease [ :-].

Verse 4

4. iniquities—afflictions in punishment of sin (2 Samuel 16:12; Psalms 31:10; Psalms 40:12).

gone over mine head—as a flood.

Verse 5

5-8. The loathsomeness, corruption, and wasting torture of severe physical disease set forth his mental anguish [Psalms 38:6]. It is possible some bodily disease was connected. The

loins are the seat of strength. His exhaustion left him only the power to groan [Psalms 38:6- :].

Verse 9

9. That God can hear ( :-).

Verse 10

10. My heart panteth—as if barely surviving.

light . . . from me—utter exhaustion (Psalms 6:7; Psalms 13:3).

Verse 11

11, 12. Friends desert, but foes increase in malignity.

Verse 12

12. seek after my life— (1 Samuel 20:1; 1 Samuel 22:23).

Verse 13

13, 14. He patiently submits, uttering no reproaches or replies ( :-) to their insulting speeches;

Verse 15

15-17. for he is confident the

Lord—literally, "Sovereign" (to whom he was a servant), would answer his prayer (Psalms 3:4; Psalms 4:1), and not permit their triumph in his partial halting, of which he was in danger.

Verse 18

18. Consciousness of sin makes suffering pungent, and suffering, rightly received, leads to confession.

Verse 19

19, 20. Still, while humbled before God, he is the victim of deadly enemies, full of malice and treachery.

enemies are lively—literally, "of life," who would take my life, that is, deadly.

Verse 21

21, 22. (Compare Psalms 22:19; Psalms 35:3). All terms of frequent use. In this Psalm the language is generally susceptible of application to Christ as a sufferer, David, as such, typifying Him. This does not require us to apply the confessions of sin, but only the pains or penalties which He bore for us.