Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 38
XXXVIII.Reading only the first part of this psalm (Psalms 38:1-11), we should positively assign it to some individual sufferer who had learnt the lesson which St. Jerome says is here taught: “if any sickness happens to the body, we are to seek for the medicine of the soul.” But, reading on, we find that the complaint of bodily suffering gives way to a description of active and deadly enemies, who, in the figure so common in the Psalms, beset the pious with snares. It is better, therefore, to... read more
John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:1-22
This Ps. may be compared with Psalms 6. It is the prayer of one who, like Job, is in great bodily suffering (Psalms 38:1-10), and is also deserted by his friends (Psalms 38:11), and beset by treacherous enemies (Psalms 38:12, Psalms 38:19-20). He is conscious that his trouble is due to bis sin (Psalms 38:4, Psalms 38:18), and appeals trustfully to God for pardon, healing, and deliverance. The description of personal suffering is too minute for a purely national Ps. It has been suggested that... read more