Psalms 38
Psalms 38 is part of “Book I: The Genesis Book” (1–41) in the outline of Psalms.
Psalms 38 summary
This is one of the penitential psalms; it is full of grief and complaint from the beginning to the end. David's sins and his afflictions are the cause of his grief and the matter of his complaints. It should seem he was now sick and in pain, which reminded him of his sins and helped to humble him for them; he was, at the same time, deserted by his friends and persecuted by his enemies; so that the psalm is calculated for the depth of distress and a complication of calamities. He complains, I.
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This is one of the penitential psalms; it is full of grief and complaint from the beginning to the end. David's sins and his afflictions are the cause of his grief and the matter of his complaints. It should seem he was now sick and in pain, which reminded him of his sins and helped to humble him for them; he was, at the same time, deserted by his friends and persecuted by his enemies; so that the psalm is calculated for the depth of distress and a complication of calamities. He complains, I. Of God's displeasure, and of his own sin which provoked God against him (Psa 38:1-5). II. Of his bodily sickness (Psa 38:6-10). III. Of the unkindness of his friends (Psa 38:11). IV. Of the injuries which his enemies did him, pleading his good conduct towards them, yet confessing his sins against God (Psa 38:12-20). Lastly, he concludes the psalm with earnest prayers to God for his gracious presence and help (Psa 38:21, Psa 38:22). In singing this psalm we ought to be much affected with the malignity of sin; and, if we have not such troubles as are here described, we know not how soon we may have, and therefore must sing of them by way of preparation and we know that others have them, and therefore we must sing of the by way of sympathy. A psalm of David to bring to remembrance.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Psalms 38 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
Do Not Forsake Me, O Lord
1A Psalme of Dauid for remembrance. O Lord, rebuke mee not in thine anger, neither chastise me in thy wrath. 2For thine arrowes haue light vpon me, and thine hand lyeth vpon me. 3There is nothing sound in my flesh, because of thine anger: neither is there rest in my bones because of my sinne. 4For mine iniquities are gone ouer mine head, and as a weightie burden they are too heauie for me. 5My woundes are putrified, and corrupt because of my foolishnes. 6I am bowed, and crooked very sore: I goe mourning all the day. 7For my reines are full of burning, and there is nothing sound in my flesh. 8I am weakened and sore broken: I roare for the very griefe of mine heart. 9Lord, I powre my whole desire before thee, and my sighing is not hid from thee. 10Mine heart panteth: my strength faileth me, and the light of mine eyes, euen they are not mine owne. 11My louers and my friends stand aside from my plague, and my kinsmen stand a farre off. 12They also, that seeke after my life, laye snares, and they that go about to do me euil, talke wicked things and imagine deceite continually. 13But I as a deafe man heard not, and am as a dumme man, which openeth not his mouth. 14Thus am I as a man, that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofes. 15For on thee, O Lord, do I waite: thou wilt heare me, my Lord, my God. 16For I said, Heare me, least they reioyce ouer me: for when my foote slippeth, they extol themselues against me. 17Surely I am ready to halte, and my sorow is euer before me. 18When I declare my paine, and am sory for my sinne, 19Then mine enemies are aliue and are mightie, and they that hate me wrongfully are many. 20They also, that rewarde euill for good, are mine aduersaries, because I follow goodnesse. 21Forsake me not, O Lord: be not thou farre from me, my God. 22Haste thee to helpe mee, O my Lord, my saluation.