Comment – In Psalm 38 the author shows himself to God with a considerable burden of pain originating from his sins and for this he feels put in punishment. He asks the Lord to end his pains by giving him relief.
Psalm 38 complete
[1] Psalm. Di Davide. In memory.
[2] Lord, do not chastise me in your anger, do not punish me in your anger.
[3] Your arrows have pierced me, your hand has fallen on me.
[4] For your indignation there is nothing healthy in me, nothing is intact in my bones for my sins.
[5] My iniquities have overcome my head, as a heavy load they have oppressed me.
[6] Putrid and fetid are my wounds because of my foolishness.
[7] I am bent and slumped, sad I wander all day.
[8] My hips are tortured, there is nothing healthy in me.
[9] Distressed and exhausted to the extreme, I roar with the thrill of my heart.
[10] Lord, my desire before you and my groaning is not hidden.
Recommended readings- Psalm 76: complete, commentary
- Psalm 62: complete, commentary
- Psalm 102: complete, commentary
- Psalm 6: complete, commentary
- Psalm 20: complete, commentary
[11] My heart throbs, strength abandons me, the light of my eyes goes out.
[12] Friends and companions depart from my wounds, my neighbors stay at a distance.
[13] Those who pay attention to my life are tying snares, those who seek my ruin are plotting and all day long they meditate on deceptions.
[14] I, as a deaf man, do not listen and as a mute I do not open my mouth;
[15] I am like a man who does not hear or respond.
[16] In you I hope, Lord; you will answer me, Lord my God.
[17] I said, "Don't enjoy me, don't boast about me when my foot falters."
[18] For I am about to fall and I always face my pain.
[19] Behold, I confess my guilt, I am anxious about my sin.
[20] My enemies are alive and strong, too many hate me for no reason,
[21] they pay me good with bad, they accuse me because I seek good.
[22] Do not abandon me, Lord, my God, do not stay away from me;
[23] come to my aid, Lord, my salvation.
