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Psalms 38

BSB·22 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1O LORDיְֽהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → rebuke meתוֹכִיחֵ֑נִיṯō·w·ḵî·ḥê·nî — To rebuke, reprove, or correct with reasoningH3198 — Full Word Study → in Your angerבְּקֶצְפְּךָ֥bə·qeṣ·pə·ḵā — Rage, wrath, or fierce angerH7110 — Full Word Study → or discipline meתְיַסְּרֵֽנִי׃ṯə·yas·sə·rê·nî — To discipline, correct, or instruct through rebuke or punishmentH3256 — Full Word Study → in Your wrathוּֽבַחֲמָתְךָ֥ū·ḇa·ḥă·mā·ṯə·ḵā — Intense rage, burning wrath, divine angerH2534 — Full Word Study →. 2Forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Your arrowsחִ֭צֶּיךָḥiṣ·ṣe·ḵā — Arrow; projectile weapon or shaftH2671 — Full Word Study → have pierced me deeplyנִ֣חֲתוּni·ḥă·ṯū — To descend, come down, settleH5181 — Full Word Study →, and Your handיָדֶֽךָ׃yā·ḏe·ḵā — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → has pressed downוַתִּנְחַ֖תwat·tin·ḥaṯ — To descend, come down, settleH5181 — Full Word Study → on meעָלַ֣י‘ā·lay — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →. 3There is noאֵין־’ên- — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → soundnessמְתֹ֣םmə·ṯōm — Soundness, integrity, wholenessH4974 — Full Word Study → in my bodyבִּ֭בְשָׂרִיbiḇ·śā·rî — Flesh; body; meat; human natureH1320 — Full Word Study → because ofמִפְּנֵ֣יmip·pə·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → Your angerזַעְמֶ֑ךָza‘·me·ḵā — Indignation, rage, divine angerH2195 — Full Word Study →; there is noאֵין־’ên- — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → restשָׁל֥וֹםšā·lō·wm — Peace, wholeness, well-being, prosperityH7965 — Full Word Study → in my bonesבַּ֝עֲצָמַ֗יba·‘ă·ṣā·may — bone; body; substance; strengthH6106 — Full Word Study → because ofמִפְּנֵ֥יmip·pə·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → my sinחַטָּאתִֽי׃ḥaṭ·ṭā·ṯî — sin; sin offering; sinfulnessH2403 — Full Word Study →. 4Forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → my iniquitiesעֲ֭וֺנֹתַי‘ă·wō·nō·ṯay — Iniquity, guilt, or moral wrongdoingH5771 — Full Word Study → have overwhelmedעָבְר֣וּ‘ā·ḇə·rū — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → meרֹאשִׁ֑יrō·šî — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study →; they are a burdenכְּמַשָּׂ֥אkə·maś·śā — burden; a load or weight; an oracle or utteranceH4853 — Full Word Study → too heavyכָ֝בֵ֗דḵā·ḇêḏ — Heavy; weighty; burdensome; grievousH3515 — Full Word Study → to bearיִכְבְּד֥וּyiḵ·bə·ḏū — to honor, glorify, or make heavy/weightyH3513 — Full Word Study →. 5My woundsחַבּוּרֹתָ֑יḥab·bū·rō·ṯāy — A bruise, wound, or stripe on the bodyH2250 — Full Word Study → are foulהִבְאִ֣ישׁוּhiḇ·’î·šū — to stink, emit a foul odor; to be abhorrent or loathsomeH887 — Full Word Study → and festeringנָ֭מַקּוּnā·maq·qū — To rot, decay, or waste awayH4743 — Full Word Study → because ofמִ֝פְּנֵ֗יmip·pə·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → my sinful follyאִוַּלְתִּֽי׃’iw·wal·tî — foolishness, senselessness, moral depravityH200 — Full Word Study →. 6I am bentנַעֲוֵ֣יתִיna·‘ă·wê·ṯî — to bend, twist, or act crookedly; to do wrongH5753 — Full Word Study → and brought lowשַׁחֹ֣תִיša·ḥō·ṯî — to bow down, bend, stoop, humble oneselfH7817 — Full Word Study →; all day longכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → I go aboutהִלָּֽכְתִּי׃hil·lā·ḵə·tî — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → mourningקֹדֵ֥רqō·ḏêr — to be dark; to mourn; to grow gloomyH6937 — Full Word Study →. 7Forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → my loinsכְ֭סָלַיḵə·sā·lay — loins; confidence; follyH3689 — Full Word Study → are full ofמָלְא֣וּmā·lə·’ū — to fill, fulfill, completeH4390 — Full Word Study → burning painנִקְלֶ֑הniq·leh — to roast, parch, or scorchH7033 — Full Word Study →, and noוְאֵ֥יןwə·’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → soundnessמְ֝תֹ֗םmə·ṯōm — Soundness, integrity, wholenessH4974 — Full Word Study → remains in my body. 8I am numbנְפוּג֣וֹתִיnə·p̄ū·ḡō·w·ṯî — to be numb, faint, or slackH6313 — Full Word Study → and badlyעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → crushedוְנִדְכֵּ֣יתִיwə·niḏ·kê·ṯî — to crush, break, or oppress severelyH1794 — Full Word Study →; I groanשָׁ֝אַ֗גְתִּיšā·ʾag̲·tî — To roar; to make a loud, deep soundH7580 — Full Word Study → in anguishמִֽנַּהֲמַ֥תmin·na·hă·maṯ — groaning, roaring, disquietness of soulH5100 — Full Word Study → of heartלִבִּֽי׃lib·bî — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study →. 9O Lordאֲ‍ֽדֹנָי’ăḏō·nāy — Master, LordH136 — Full Word Study →, my everyכָל־ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → desireתַּאֲוָתִ֑יta·’ă·wā·ṯî — Strong desire; craving; longingH8378 — Full Word Study → is before You; my groaningוְ֝אַנְחָתִ֗יwə·’an·ḥā·ṯî — A deep sigh or groan of distressH585 — Full Word Study → is notלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → hiddenנִסְתָּֽרָה׃nis·tā·rāh — To hide, conceal, or keep secretH5641 — Full Word Study → from Youמִמְּךָ֥mim·mə·ḵā — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study →. 10My heartלִבִּ֣יlib·bî — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → poundsסְ֭חַרְחַרsə·ḥar·ḥar — to trade, traffic, or move about as a merchantH5503 — Full Word Study →, my strengthכֹחִ֑יḵō·ḥî — Strength, power, might, or abilityH3581 — Full Word Study → failsעֲזָבַ֣נִי‘ă·zā·ḇa·nî — to abandon, forsake, or leave behindH5800 — Full Word Study →, and evenגַּם־gam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → the lightוְֽאוֹר־wə·’ō·wr- — Light; brightness; illuminationH216 — Full Word Study → of my eyesעֵינַ֥י‘ê·nay — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → has fadedאֵ֣ין’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study →. 11My belovedאֹֽהֲבַ֨י׀’ō·hă·ḇay — To love; affection, attachment, or preferenceH157 — Full Word Study → and friendsוְרֵעַ֗יwə·rê·‘ay — neighbor, friend, companion, associateH7453 — Full Word Study → shunיַעֲמֹ֑דוּya·‘ă·mō·ḏū — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study → my diseaseנִגְעִ֣יniḡ·‘î — Plague, affliction, or stroke of judgmentH5061 — Full Word Study →, and my kinsmenוּ֝קְרוֹבַ֗יū·qə·rō·w·ḇay — Near; close in space, time, or relationshipH7138 — Full Word Study → standעָמָֽדוּ׃‘ā·mā·ḏū — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study → at a distanceמֵרָחֹ֥קmê·rā·ḥōq — distant, far away, remote in space or timeH7350 — Full Word Study →. 12Those who seekמְבַקְשֵׁ֬יmə·ḇaq·šê — To seek, search for, or request earnestlyH1245 — Full Word Study → my lifeנַפְשִׁ֗יnap̄·šî — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → lay snaresוַיְנַקְשׁ֤וּ׀way·naq·šū — to snare, trap, or ensnareH5367 — Full Word Study →; those who wish meוְדֹרְשֵׁ֣יwə·ḏō·rə·šê — to seek, inquire, search diligentlyH1875 — Full Word Study → harmרָ֭עָתִיrā·‘ā·ṯî — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → speakדִּבְּר֣וּdib·bə·rū — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → destructionהַוּ֑וֹתhaw·wō·wṯ — Calamity, destruction, ruin, wickednessH1942 — Full Word Study →, plottingיֶהְגּֽוּ׃yeh·gū — to mutter, meditate, speak quietlyH1897 — Full Word Study → deceitוּ֝מִרְמ֗וֹתū·mir·mō·wṯ — deceit, treachery, or cunning deceptionH4820 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → day longהַיּ֥וֹםhay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →. 13But like a deaf manכְ֭חֵרֵשׁḵə·ḥê·rêš — Deaf; unable to hearH2795 — Full Word Study →, Iוַאֲנִ֣יwa·’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → do notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → hearאֶשְׁמָ֑ע’eš·mā‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study →; and like a mute manוּ֝כְאִלֵּ֗םū·ḵə·’il·lêm — mute, unable to speakH483 — Full Word Study →, I do notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → openיִפְתַּח־yip̄·taḥ- — to open, loosen, or beginH6605 — Full Word Study → my mouthפִּֽיו׃pîw — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study →. 14I amוָאֱהִ֗יwā·’ĕ·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → like a manכְּ֭אִישׁkə·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → whoאֲשֶׁ֣ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → cannotלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → hearשֹׁמֵ֑עַšō·mê·a‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study →, whose mouthבְּ֝פִ֗יוbə·p̄îw — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study → offers no replyתּוֹכָחֽוֹת׃tō·w·ḵā·ḥō·wṯ — Rebuke, correction, reproofH8433 — Full Word Study →. 15I waitהוֹחָ֑לְתִּיhō·w·ḥā·lə·tî — To wait; to hope; to expect with patienceH3176 — Full Word Study → for You, O LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →; Youאַתָּ֥ה’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → will answerתַ֝עֲנֶ֗הṯa·‘ă·neh — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study →, O Lordאֲדֹנָ֥י’ă·ḏō·nāy — Master, LordH136 — Full Word Study → my Godאֱלֹהָֽי׃’ĕ·lō·hāy — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. 16Forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → I saidאָ֭מַרְתִּי’ā·mar·tî — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Let them notפֶּן־pen- — lest, that not, for fear thatH6435 — Full Word Study → gloatיִשְׂמְחוּ־yiś·mə·ḥū- — To rejoice, be glad, make merryH8055 — Full Word Study → over me— those who tauntהִגְדִּֽילוּ׃hiḡ·dî·lū — to grow, become great, magnifyH1431 — Full Word Study → meעָלַ֥י‘ā·lay — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → when my footרַ֝גְלִ֗יraḡ·lî — Foot; by extension, journey, way, or standingH7272 — Full Word Study → slipsבְּמ֥וֹטbə·mō·wṭ — to shake, move, slip, or fall awayH4131 — Full Word Study →.” 17Forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Iאֲ֭נִי’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → am readyנָכ֑וֹןnā·ḵō·wn — to establish, prepare, or make firmH3559 — Full Word Study → to fallלְצֶ֣לַעlə·ṣe·la‘ — Stumbling, limping, or adversityH6761 — Full Word Study →, and my painוּמַכְאוֹבִ֖יū·maḵ·’ō·w·ḇî — Physical or emotional pain; anguishH4341 — Full Word Study → is everתָמִֽיד׃ṯā·mîḏ — continually, perpetually, alwaysH8548 — Full Word Study → with meנֶגְדִּ֣יneḡ·dî — before, in front of, in the presence ofH5048 — Full Word Study →. 18Yesכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study →, I confessאַגִּ֑יד’ag·gîḏ — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study → my iniquityעֲוֺנִ֥י‘ă·wō·nî — Iniquity, guilt, or moral wrongdoingH5771 — Full Word Study →; I am troubledאֶ֝דְאַ֗ג’eḏ·’aḡ — to be anxious, worried, or troubled in mindH1672 — Full Word Study → by my sinמֵֽחַטָּאתִֽי׃mê·ḥaṭ·ṭā·ṯî — sin; sin offering; sinfulnessH2403 — Full Word Study →. 19Many are my enemiesוְֽ֭אֹיְבַיwə·’ō·yə·ḇay — Enemy; adversary; one who opposesH341 — Full Word Study → without causeחַיִּ֣יםḥay·yîm — alive, living, lifeH2416 — Full Word Study →, and manyוְרַבּ֖וּwə·rab·bū — to multiply, increase in number or abundanceH7231 — Full Word Study → hate meשֹׂנְאַ֣יśō·nə·’ay — to hate, despise, regard with hostilityH8130 — Full Word Study → without reasonשָֽׁקֶר׃šā·qer — Deception, falsehood, lieH8267 — Full Word Study →. 20Those who repayוּמְשַׁלְּמֵ֣יū·mə·šal·lə·mê — to complete, make peace, repayH7999 — Full Word Study → my goodטוֹבָ֑הṭō·w·ḇāh — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → withתַּ֣חַתta·ḥaṯ — Under, beneath, instead of, in place ofH8478 — Full Word Study → evilרָ֭עָהrā·‘āh — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → attack meיִ֝שְׂטְנ֗וּנִיyiś·ṭə·nū·nî — to oppose, resist, or act as an adversaryH7853 — Full Word Study → forתַּ֣חַתta·ḥaṯ — Under, beneath, instead of, in place ofH8478 — Full Word Study → pursuingרְדוֹפִיrə·ḏō·p̄ī — to pursue, chase, or persecuteH7291 — Full Word Study → the goodטֽוֹב׃ṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study →. 21Do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → forsake meתַּֽעַזְבֵ֥נִיta·‘az·ḇê·nî — to abandon, forsake, or leave behindH5800 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →; be notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → farתִּרְחַ֥קtir·ḥaq — to be far, remove, distance oneselfH7368 — Full Word Study → from meמִמֶּֽנִּי׃mim·men·nî — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study →, O my Godאֱ֝לֹהַ֗י’ĕ·lō·hay — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. 22Come quicklyח֥וּשָׁהḥū·šāh — To hurry; to hasten with eagernessH2363 — Full Word Study → to help meלְעֶזְרָתִ֑יlə·‘ez·rā·ṯî — help, assistance, aidH5833 — Full Word Study →, O Lordאֲ֝דֹנָ֗י’ă·ḏō·nāy — Master, LordH136 — Full Word Study → my Saviorתְּשׁוּעָתִֽי׃tə·šū·‘ā·ṯî — Deliverance, salvation, victoryH8668 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Psalms 38
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Psalm 38 is a deeply personal lament in which David cries out to God under the weight of physical illness, emotional distress, and relational abandonment—all consequences of his own sin. This is one of the seven Penitential Psalms, expressing genuine repentance while also pleading for God's mercy and deliverance. Rather than offering explanations or excuses, David openly confesses his guilt, acknowledges God's righteous hand of discipline, and appeals to the Lord's compassion. The psalm moves from suffering and confession to renewed trust and desperate prayer for God's intervention.

Verses 1–5: The Weight of Divine Discipline

David begins with an urgent plea: "O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath; neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure" (v. 1). He is not denying God's right to judge; rather, he is asking that the intensity of God's anger might be tempered with mercy. The imagery that follows is vivid and painful: God's arrows stick fast, His hand presses heavily, and there is "no soundness in my flesh" (v. 3). Crucially, David connects his physical suffering directly to his sin (v. 3). His iniquities have "gone over [his] head" like a flood (v. 4)—they are overwhelming, crushing him beneath their weight. His wounds are infected and corrupt, the result of his own "foolishness" (v. 5). This is honest, unvarnished confession: David does not blame circumstances or others, but takes full responsibility before God.

Application: True repentance involves acknowledging not only our sins but also understanding that God's discipline, though painful, flows from His holiness and love. We should never ask God to ignore our wrongdoing; rather, we should ask Him to deal with us in grace.

Verses 6–12: Isolation and Suffering

The psalm deepens into a description of complete devastation. David is "bowed down greatly" and goes "mourning all the day long" (v. 6). His physical condition mirrors his spiritual despair: he is "feeble and sore broken" and has even "roared by reason of the disquietness of [his] heart" (vv. 8). In verses 9–10, we see the contradiction of his condition—his desires are known to God, yet his strength is failing and even "the light of [his] eyes" is gone, suggesting both physical weakness and spiritual darkness. Most painfully, his social world collapses. His "lovers and friends stand aloof" and his kinsmen "stand afar off" (v. 11). Those who once supported him now either abandon him or actively seek his harm, laying snares and speaking "mischievous things" (v. 12). Suffering isolates; sin compounds that isolation.

Application: When we face the consequences of our sin, we often experience loneliness that mirrors our spiritual condition. Yet Christ never abandons us; His presence remains constant even when earthly relationships fail.

Verses 13–22: Silent Repentance and Renewed Trust

In verses 13–14, David chooses silence in the face of his enemies. Like a deaf man who hears not and a dumb man who opens not his mouth, he refuses to defend or justify himself. This is the posture of genuine repentance—not self-vindication, but humble submission. Then comes the turning point: "But I, as a deaf man, heard not" (v. 13) shifts immediately to "For in thee, O LORD, do I hope" (v. 15). His hope rests not in his circumstances or reputation, but in God alone. He requests God's hearing and help "lest otherwise they should rejoice over me" (v. 16), and most importantly, he declares: "For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin" (v. 18). This is confession—the verbal acknowledgment of guilt before God. Even as enemies multiply and opposition increases (vv. 19–20), David's final cry is one of desperate dependence: "Forsake me not, O LORD...Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation" (vv. 21–22).

Application: Repentance is not a one-time moment but a returning to God in confession and trust. In our darkest hours, we can echo David's plea, knowing that God hears the groaning of the broken-hearted and never abandons those who seek Him.

Application for Today

Psalm 38 teaches us that confession and repentance are not shameful but liberating. If you are experiencing the consequences of sin—whether physical, emotional, or relational—do not hide from God. Instead, bring your full burden to Him, acknowledge your guilt honestly, and rest in His promise to hear you. God's discipline is an act of love; His silence is never final for those who truly repent.

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