Psalm, 38

Sin Hope Weakness God Prayer Health Acknowledging Rest Repentance Suffering Sickness Persecution Sadness Desires Nearness Almighty Overcoming Salvation Confession Dependence Anger

In Psalm 38, David cries out to God in anguish over his sins and the physical and emotional pain they have caused him. He pleads for forgiveness and healing, acknowledging that his troubles are a result of his own wrongdoing. Despite his anguish, David trusts in God's mercy and power to restore him.

Psalm, 38

22
verses
●
2
min

Bible version

A Prayer for Forgiveness and Healing

1 {A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.} O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
2 For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.
3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.
4 For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
5 My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.
6 I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.
7 For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh.
8 I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.
9 Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.
10 My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.
11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.
12 They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.
13 But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.
14 Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs.
15 For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.
16 For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.
17 For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me.
18 For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.
19 But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
20 They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.
21 Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.
22 Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.

Commentary

Psalm 38 is a powerful expression of the human experience of guilt, shame, and suffering. David's words capture the deep anguish of a heart weighed down by sin and its consequences. Yet, even in his distress, David holds fast to his faith in God's love and mercy. He recognizes that God is the only one who can truly heal him and restore him to wholeness. As we read this psalm, we are invited to join David in recognizing our own need for forgiveness and healing. Like him, we can cry out to God in faith, trusting that he will hear our cries and answer them with grace and mercy.

Meet the heroes of Psalm, 38

God
God
David
David
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FAQ

Assuming a reader with an average reading speed of 300 WPM reads the Psalm, chapter 38 it would take approximately 2 minutes to finish.

There are 22 verses in Psalm, chapter 38.