Psalm 38:3-4 NASB

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:1-22

A fearful picture of the sufferings which a great sin can cause. Supposed to be one of David's penitential psalms. I. COMPLICATED MENTAL AND BODILY SUFFERING . ( Psalms 38:1-8 .) 1 . Dread of God ' s further anger. Guilt makes a man full of fear and apprehension ( Psalms 38:1 ). 2 . His sin was realized as an intolerable burden. ( Psalms 38:4 .) A load that he was unable to carry; or a great wave passing over his head and threatening to overwhelm him. 3... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:3

There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger. The psalmist begins with a description of his bodily troubles; and, first of all, declares that there is "no soundness in his flesh," i.e. no healthiness, no feeling of vigour, no vital strength. Neither is there any rest in my bones, he says, because of my sin. His bones ache continually, and give him no rest (comp. Psalms 6:2 ; Psalms 22:14 ; Psalms 31:10 ; Psalms 42:10 ; and Job 30:17 , Job 30:30 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:4

For mine iniquities are gone over mine head ; i.e. they overwhelm me like waves of the sea. Together with my bodily pain is mingled mental anguish—a sense of regret and remorse on account of my ill-doing, and a conviction that by my sins I have brought upon me my sufferings. As an heavy burden they are too heavy for me . They press me down, crush me to the earth, are more than I can bear. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:4

Conviction of sin an element of true Christian life. "As a heavy burden." Jonah, when carried down in his living tomb to "the roots of the mountains," with the sea-weeds about his head, was not plunged in a deeper sea of trouble than David in the experience this psalm records (comp. Psalms 32:3-5 ). He felt that his troubles were the just and wise chastisement of his sins; and they lead him to confession (verse 18). He humbly bows under God's hand; but only prays that he may feel that... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 38:3

There is no soundness in my flesh - There is no sound place in my flesh; there is no part of my body that is free from disease. The word used here - מתם methôm - occurs only in Judges 20:48, where it is rendered “men;” in Isaiah 1:6, and in this place, where it is rendered “soundness.” See the notes at Isaiah 1:6. It means that the body was wholly diseased; but what was the nature of the disease we are not informed. It would seem, however, that it was some cutaneous disease, or some disease... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 38:4

For mine iniquities are gone over mine head - This is merely an enlargement of the idea suggested in the last verse - that his present sickness was to be traced to his sin, and that he was suffering the punishment for sin. The idea is here that his sins were very numerous and very aggravated. They had risen up around him, or had so accumulated that the mass rose, like waves of the sea, above his head. A somewhat similar idea - though the thought there refers rather to the number of sins than... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 38:3-6

Psalms 38:3-6 . There is no soundness, &c. My disease or grief hath seized upon all the parts of my body, my very bones not excepted, so that my bed can give me no rest; because of my sin Which hath provoked thee to deal thus severely with me. For my iniquities, &c. Or, the punishment of my iniquities, as this word is frequently used; are gone over my head Like deep waters, wherewith I am overwhelmed. My wounds are corrupt The bruises and sores, caused by my disease, are... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:1-22

Psalm 38-39 The cries of the sickThe psalmist David felt that sometimes punishment for his sins took the form of sickness (e.g. Psalms 6:0) or opposition from those who envied or hated him (e.g. Psalms 25:0). Both elements appear again in the prayer of Psalms 38:0, which, being a confession of sin, was suitable to be offered with certain sacrifices.As the suffering David cries to God for mercy, he admits that, because of his sin, he deserves what he has got (38:1-4). He vividly describes the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 38:3

sin. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 38:4

iniquities. Hebrew. 'aven. App-44 . over mine head. The reference is to the burdens of porters and carriers, which often mount up and project over the head. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:1-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 38:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 38:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 38:3-6

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:1-22

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 38:3

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 38:4

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