Psalms 38

Psalm 38 is a lament of David, expressing deep physical and emotional suffering attributed to his sin and God's displeasure. He describes his body afflicted with disease and his heart with disquietness, while friends abandon him and enemies plot his downfall. Despite his distress, David places his hope in the Lord, confessing his iniquity and pleading for divine help and salvation.

This psalm, a "Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance," is a profound cry of distress. David begins by imploring God not to rebuke him in wrath, acknowledging his severe physical ailments and inner turmoil as consequences of his sin. He describes his flesh having no soundness, his wounds being corrupt, and his strength failing, leading to constant mourning. Furthermore, David laments that his friends and kinsmen stand aloof, while his adversaries actively seek his life, speaking mischievous things and imagining deceits. Despite these afflictions and the plotting of his foes, David chooses to remain silent before them, placing his sole hope in the Lord. He confesses his iniquity and sorrow for sin, contrasting his own weakness with the strength and multiplication of his wrongful enemies. The psalm concludes with an earnest plea for God not to forsake him but to hasten to his aid as his salvation.

Psalm 38 is a poignant lamentation of David, titled "to bring to remembrance," detailing a period of intense suffering. The psalmist opens by beseeching the Lord not to chasten him in wrath, immediately linking his profound physical and emotional distress to divine displeasure and his own iniquities. He vividly describes his body as being without soundness, afflicted by loathsome disease, and his wounds stinking due to his foolishness. His heart is disquieted, his strength fails, and even the light of his eyes is gone, causing him to be bowed down and mourn continually. David acknowledges that his sins are a heavy burden, overwhelming him. Amidst this personal agony, he finds himself isolated, as his lovers, friends, and kinsmen stand afar off from his affliction. Simultaneously, his enemies are active, laying snares for his life, speaking mischievous things, and constantly devising deceits against him. Despite these external threats and internal pain, David adopts a posture of silence, like a deaf and dumb man, refraining from defense or reproof. His hope is fixed entirely upon the Lord, trusting that God will hear his plea and prevent his adversaries from rejoicing over his stumbling. David openly declares his iniquity and expresses sorrow for his sin, recognizing his readiness to halt. He contrasts his vulnerable state with the vigor and multiplication of his enemies, who hate him wrongfully and render evil for good simply because he follows what is good. The psalm culminates in an urgent and heartfelt cry for God's immediate presence and help, imploring the Lord not to forsake him but to be his swift salvation.