Bible Commentaries
Psalms 38

Introduction

Psalms 38:0

STROPHE DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

READING CYCLE THREE (see “Guide to Good Bible Reading”)

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph

2. Second paragraph

3. Third paragraph

4. Etc.

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS

A. This Psalm has much in common with Psalms 32:0 and 51.

B. In Jewish thought sin and sickness were related. Confession of sin brought answered prayer and restoration of mind, spirit, and body.

When one looks at all the physical problems mentioned, there are too many to be characteristic of one disease. Probably they are figurative (cf. Isaiah 1:5-6). If so, the focus of the Psalm is not physical healing but forgiveness of sin!

C. As in so many Psalms the connection between

1. the physical problems

2. the attack of enemies

3. the rejection of friends

is uncertain. They are all related but how is a mystery. Are they literal or figurative of sin's social consequences?

Verses 1-8

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psalms 38:1-8 1O Lord, rebuke me not in Your wrath, And chasten me not in Your burning anger. 2For Your arrows have sunk deep into me, And Your hand has pressed down on me. 3There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your indignation; There is no health in my bones because of my sin. 4For my iniquities are gone over my head; As a heavy burden they weigh too much for me. 5My wounds grow foul and fester Because of my folly. 6I am bent over and greatly bowed down; I go mourning all day long. 7For my loins are filled with burning, And there is no soundness in my flesh. 8I am benumbed and badly crushed; I groan because of the agitation of my heart.

Psalms 38:1-8 Most other English translations have this section broken down into several strophes. Strophe division is not a textual issue. It is speculation not inspiration.

The psalmist describes his condition and feelings.

1. he senses YHWH's displeasure

a. do not rebuke me in Your wrath BDB 406, KB 410, Hiphil imperfect used in a jussive sense, cf. Psalms 6:1

b. do not chasten me in Your burning anger BDB 415, KB 418, Piel imperfect used in a jussive sense; this verb often is used of covenant violations (cf. Leviticus 26:18, Leviticus 26:28; Psalms 6:1; Psalms 39:11; Psalms 94:10; Psalms 118:18; Hosea 10:10)

2. he feels YHWH's punishment

a. Your arrows have sunk deep into me, cf. Deuteronomy 32:23; Job 6:4; Psalms 7:12-13; Psalms 45:5

b. Your hand has pressed me down, cf. Psalms 32:4; Psalms 39:10 (note same verb in both lines but used in different senses, BDB 639, KB 692)

3. the physical result of YHWH's displeasure (because of sin, Psalms 38:3b, Psalms 38:4, Psalms 38:5b)

a. no soundness (BDB 1022, shalom) in my flesh

b. no health in my bones

c. wounds (lit. “stripes,” BDB 289) grow foul (BDB 92, KB 107, Hiphil perfect) and fester (BDB 596, KB 583, Qal perfect)

d. bent over (“bent,” BDB 730, KB 796, Niphal perfect; “bowed down,” BDB 1005, KB 1458, Qal perfect, cf. Psalms 35:14) in mourning

e. loins are filled (BDB 569, KB 583, Qal perfect) with burning

f. repeat of a. above

g. benumbed (BDB 806, KB 916, Niphal perfect, lit. “spent”)

h. crushed (BDB 194, KB 221, Niphal perfect, Piel in Psalms 51:8)

i. groan (BDB 980, KB 1367, Qal perfect, i.e., animal sounds)

Notice the string of perfect tense verbs. YHWH's “anger” (BDB 893) and “wrath” (BDB 409) have come (imperfects) and remain (perfects)! What a terrible condition of mind (Psalms 38:4, Psalms 38:8b) and body!

Psalms 38:4 “over my head” This verb (BDB 716, KB 778, Qal perfect) is used of water.

1. flood as war Isaiah 8:8; Isaiah 23:10; Daniel 11:10, Daniel 11:40; Nahum 1:8

2. waves literal in Isaiah 54:9

3. waves figurative of problems and emotions Psalms 42:7; Psalms 88:16-17; Psalms 124:4-5

The psalmist's guilt from sin has overwhelmed him!

Psalms 38:5 “fester” This verb (BDB 596, KB 628, Niphal perfect) is used in Leviticus 26:0, the cursing and blessing passage parallel to Deuteronomy 27-28. It denoted a “rotten decay” (cf. Leviticus 26:39 [twice]). Sin destroys! Often in horrible ways!

Psalms 38:6 “mourning” This term is from the Hebrew root “to be dark” (BDB 871). It could mean

1. dressed in dark clothing as a sign of mourning

2. dirt placed on head and clothing as a sign of mourning

3. an idiom for the condition of the heart, soul, mind (here because of known sin)

SPECIAL TOPIC: GRIEVING RITES

▣ “I am bent over and greatly bowed down” There are two parallel verbs.

1. bent over BDB 730, KB 796, Niphal perfect which can be viewed as

a. bewilderment Isaiah 21:3

b. perversion of mind 1 Samuel 20:30; Proverbs 12:8

c. literal which matches the parallel verb

2. bowed down BDB 1005, KB 1458, Qal perfect which seems to denote a bent body as a figure of a bent heart

Psalms 38:7 “loins” There are several terms that are used in the OT to represent the whole person.

1. soul BDB 659, nephesh

2. spirit BDB 924, ruah

3. heart BDB 524, leb

4. kidneys BDB 480

5. only here, loins BDB 492

There are several more. Only context can determine when this concept is meant. One part of the body represents the whole person.

Verses 9-12

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psalms 38:9-12 9Lord, all my desire is before You; And my sighing is not hidden from You. 10My heart throbs, my strength fails me; And the light of my eyes, even that has gone from me. 11My loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague; And my kinsmen stand afar off. 12Those who seek my life lay snares for me; And those who seek to injure me have threatened destruction, And they devise treachery all day long.

Psalms 38:9-12 This strophe also describes the author's terrible condition.

1. his condition

a. his desire (i.e. prayer) is before YHWH (i.e., for forgiveness and restoration of fellowship)

b. his sighing is known to YHWH, cf. Psalms 31:10

2. his physical condition

a. heart throbs BDB 695, KB 749, Niphal perfect

b. strength fails BDB 736, KB 806, Qal perfect

c. eyes fail no verbs; this is not referring to blindness but is an idiom for the lack of health, joy, peace, cf. Psalms 13:3; 1 Samuel 14:29; Ezra 9:8

3. interpersonal issues

a. loved ones stand aloof

b. friends stand aloof

c. kinsmen stand far off

d. enemies seek his death

(1) lay snares

(2) threaten destruction

(3) devise treachery all day long; the verb BDB 211, KB 237, is lit. “groan.” The psalmist “groans” (BDB 980, Psalms 38:8) but the wicked “devise” (cf. Proverbs 24:2).

Psalms 38:11

NASB, NKJV“plague” NRSV, JPSOA“affliction” TEV“sores” NJB“disease” REB“sickness”

The word (BDB 619) means “stroke/wound,” “plague,” or “mark.”

1. plague cf. Genesis 12:17; Exodus 11:1; 1 Kings 8:37-38; 2 Chronicles 6:28-29; Psalms 39:10; Psalms 91:10

2. leprosy (OT sense) Leviticus 13-14; Deuteronomy 24:8

3. wound Deuteronomy 17:8; Deuteronomy 21:5; Isaiah 53:8

4. discipline (for children) 2 Samuel 7:14; Psalms 89:32; Proverbs 6:23

Most words have multiple usages or else human vocabulary would be impossible to know and use. When an interpreter comes to a context, they seek the meaning intended by the original author and understandable to the hearers/readers of that day. This context is a divinely given physical manifestation of His displeasure over human sin. The punishment is meant to restore the person to faith. In this verse the parallelism suggests that the physical punishment frightened those who saw it, even close friends and relatives.

Therefore, in coming to a choice, several items are in play.

1. What physical manifestation?

2. Why the manifestation?

3. Why the response from others close by?

4. Is it figurative or literal?

Verses 13-22

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psalms 38:13-22 13But I, like a deaf man, do not hear; And I am like a mute man who does not open his mouth. 14Yes, I am like a man who does not hear, And in whose mouth are no arguments. 15For I hope in You, O Lord; You will answer, O Lord my God. 16For I said, “May they not rejoice over me, Who, when my foot slips, would magnify themselves against me.” 17For I am ready to fall, And my sorrow is continually before me. 18For I confess my iniquity; I am full of anxiety because of my sin. 19But my enemies are vigorous and strong, And many are those who hate me wrongfully. 20And those who repay evil for good, They oppose me, because I follow what is good. 21Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, do not be far from me! 22Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!

Psalms 38:13-22 This strophe has a mixture of current conditions (sickness, pain, injury) and future hope in YHWH's mercy.

1. current physical problems

a. does not hear (i.e., pretends he does not hear their slander), Psalms 38:13; Psalms 39:2, Psalms 39:4

b. does not speak (i.e., respond to his accusers, cf. Isaiah 53:7), Psalms 38:13b

c. ready to stumble, Psalms 38:16-17a; metaphor for trouble, cf. Deuteronomy 32:35; God's path was straight, level, and clear of obstacles

d. sorrow continually before him (his sin weighs heavily on him), Psalms 38:17b; Psalms 51:3

e. full of anxiety, Psalms 38:18; Psalms 38:18

2. his enemies attack, Psalms 38:16, Psalms 38:19-20

a. they grow strong and numerous, Psalms 38:19a

b. they hate him wrongfully, Psalms 38:19b

c. they repay evil for good, Psalms 38:20; Psalms 35:12; Psalms 109:5

d. they oppose him because he does what is good, Psalms 38:20b

3. confidence in YHWH's love, mercy, and forgiveness

a. hope (lit. “wait,” BDB 403, KB 407, Hiphil perfect) in YHWH, Psalms 38:15a, cf. Job 13:15; Psalms 31:24; Psalms 33:22; Psalms 39:7; Psalms 42:5, Psalms 42:11; Psalms 43:5

b. confident YHWH will answer his prayer, Psalms 38:15b

c. confident his enemies will not succeed and gloat over his fall, Psalms 38:16

d. he prays (two jussives, one imperative)

(1) do not forsake me BDB 736, KB 806, Qal imperfect used in a jussive sense, cf. Psalms 9:10; Psalms 9:10; Psalms 71:9, Psalms 71:18; Psalms 94:14; Psalms 119:8; Isaiah 49:14

(2) do not be far from me BDB 934, KB 1221, Qal imperfect used in a jussive sense, cf. Psalms 22:11; Psalms 22:11, Psalms 22:19; Psalms 35:22; Psalms 71:12

(3) make haste to help me BDB 301, KB 300, Qal imperative, cf. Psalms 22:19; Psalms 22:19b; Psalms 40:13; Psalms 40:13; Psalms 70:1, Psalms 70:5; Psalms 71:12; Psalms 141:1

Psalms 38:18 This is the theological key to this Psalm (cf. Psalms 32:5). Confession brings

1. forgiveness from YHWH (cf. Psalms 51:0; note 1 John 1:9-1)

2. forgiveness for self

3. a sense of restoration of fellowship

Confession recognizes

1. human guilt for breaking YHWH's laws

2. YHWH's character of forgiveness and mercy

Psalms 38:19

NASB, NKJV“vigorous” NRSV“without cause” TEV“healthy” NJB, REB“without cause” NET Bible“for no reason”

The MT has “living” (חיים, BDB 313), but several English translations emend the root to חנם, BDB 336, cf. Psalms 35:19; Psalms 69:4. This fits the parallelism of the next line, “who hate me wrongfully” (BDB 1055).

Psalms 38:20 “adversaries” This is the Hebrew root (BDB 966) from which we get the term “satan.”

SPECIAL TOPIC: SATAN

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

1. Does YHWH punish His sinful followers in this life (Psalms 38:2-3)?

2. Is Psalms 38:4 a confession of many sins or a literary way of asserting the sinfulness of all humans?

3. List the physical problems associated with unconfessed sin.

4. Define the word “plague” in Psalms 38:11. Does your definition explain others' reactions to him?

5. How is the imagery of “foot slip” related to a life of sin?

6. Why is Psalms 38:18 so important?