Bible Commentaries
Psalms 38

Verse 2

For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.

Arrows — Thy judgments outward and inward.

Verse 3

There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.

Sin — Which hath provoked thee to deal thus severely with me.

Verse 4

For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.

Iniquities — Or, the punishment of mine iniquities, as this word is frequently used.

Are gone — Like deep waters wherewith I am overwhelmed.

Verse 5

My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.

Foolishness — Sin.

Verse 7

For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh.

Disease — The disease might be some burning fever, breaking forth outwardly in carbuncles, or boils. It is true, this and the other expressions may be taken figuratively, but we should not forsake the literal sense of the words without necessity.

Verse 12

They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.

Deceit — They design mischief, but cover it with fair pretences.

Verse 13

But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.

Dumb — Was silent, to testify his humiliation for his sins, and his acceptation of the punishment which he had brought upon himself.

Verse 16

For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.

When — When I fall into any misery, they triumph in the accomplishment of their desires.

Verse 17

For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me.

To halt — just falling into destruction.

Before me — I am constantly sensible of thy just hand, and of my sins the cause of it.

Verse 18

For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.

Declare — To thee.

Verse 19

But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.

Strong — Are thriving and flourishing.