Psalms 38 KJV: A Penitential Plea Under the Heavy Hand of God

Psalms 38 documents the psychological and physical toll of hidden sin and the subsequent weight of divine conviction. It illustrates the visceral reality of a soul seeking reconciliation while being crushed by both internal guilt and external opposition.

  1. v1-8: The Agony of Divine Discipline
  2. v9-14: The Isolation of the Sufferer
  3. v15-22: The Hope of Restorative Grace

Psalms chapter 38

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

Witness the raw honesty of a heart that refuses to hide its wounds from the only One who can heal them. Begin your study with psalms 38 summary.

The imagery of 'arrows sticking fast' depicts the piercing nature of a conscience awakened to its own rebellion. The 'Word Secret' is Keçeph, referring to 'wrath' or 'foaming,' illustrating the intensity of the divine response that drives the sinner back to the altar of mercy. Discover the riches with psalms 38 commentary, containing expert led word study (original greek/hebrew) and passage level analysis.

Unlock the hidden psalms 38 1 meaning and summary by exploring context, analyzing original greek and hebrew words, and studying cross references of each verse.

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2 min read (361 words)