Psalms 38 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Psalm 38

Do Not Forsake Me, O Lord

A Psalm of David, for the memorial offering.

38:1   O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger,
    nor discipline me in your wrath!
2   For your arrows have sunk into me,
    and your hand has come down on me.
3   There is no soundness in my flesh
    because of your indignation;
  there is no health in my bones
    because of my sin.
4   For my iniquities have gone over my head;
    like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.
5   My wounds stink and fester
    because of my foolishness,
6   I am utterly bowed down and prostrate;
    all the day I go about mourning.
7   For my sides are filled with burning,
    and there is no soundness in my flesh.
8   I am feeble and crushed;
    I groan because of the tumult of my heart.
9   O Lord, all my longing is before you;
    my sighing is not hidden from you.
10   My heart throbs; my strength fails me,
    and the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me.
11   My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague,
    and my nearest kin stand far off.
12   Those who seek my life lay their snares;
    those who seek my hurt speak of ruin
    and meditate treachery all day long.
13   But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear,
    like a mute man who does not open his mouth.
14   I have become like a man who does not hear,
    and in whose mouth are no rebukes.
15   But for you, O LORD, do I wait;
    it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.
16   For I said, “Only let them not rejoice over me,
    who boast against me when my foot slips!”
17   For I am ready to fall,
    and my pain is ever before me.
18   I confess my iniquity;
    I am sorry for my sin.
19   But my foes are vigorous, they are mighty,
    and many are those who hate me wrongfully.
20   Those who render me evil for good
    accuse me because I follow after good.
21   Do not forsake me, O LORD!
    O my God, be not far from me!
22   Make haste to help me,
    O Lord, my salvation!

Commentary

A psalm of penitence; trials had come through personal sins.

v1-4: The psalmist describes his experience of God's disapproval upon his life. His consciousness of personal sins was like a heavy burden to him. Compare Ps 31.9-13.

v5-8: He refers to his "sinful folly." Indeed, sin is foolish for the believer. He links his present suffering with his sin. We are wise to understand that many of our problems are our own fault.

v9-10: David was a man full of desire for God, but he did sin, and therefore had to repent. His love for God made him more sensitive to personal sins. He had anguish of heart and great sighing, and "great distress" (2 Sam 24.14).

'God can pick sense out of a confused prayer' (Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed).

v11-12: David's sufferings picture those of Christ also; forsaken by friends and family; His enemies plotted His death, having set their hearts on His destruction.

v13-16: A time of impotence; he could do nothing for himself, and would not retaliate, and looked to God to deliver him. Although God does not condone any sin, He will deliver His people.

v17-20: Although David had sinned, that sin was not the reason that the ungodly gathered against him. Their attacks added to the personal anguish of his sin.

v21-22: Dependence upon God, trusting in Him to restore the repentant.