Psalm 38

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:17

For I am ready to halt ,.... Meaning either that there was a proneness in him to sin; see Jeremiah 20:10 ; or that he was subject to affliction and adversity, as the same word is rendered in Psalm 35:15 ; and the words are either a reason and argument used with the Lord, to hear and keep his foot from slipping, that so his enemies might not rejoice over him, and magnify themselves against him; as they would do should he fall into sin or into any calamity, both which he was liable to:... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:18

For I will declare mine iniquity ,.... Either to men, to ease his mind, justify God in his proceedings with him, and for their caution and admonition: or rather to God, against whom he had sinned, and who only could pardon him; with a view to which he was determined to make a free and open confession of it before him: I will be sorry for my sin , or "careful" F16 אדאג "solicitus ero", Montanus; so Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Gejerus, Michaelis, Ainsworth. about it; that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:19

But mine enemies are lively ,.... Or "living" F17 חיים "viventes", Pagninus, Montanus, Musculus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius. or "live"; not in a spiritual sense; for they had no lively hope, nor living faith, but were dead in trespasses and sins; nor merely in a natural sense, or corporeally, so David was living himself; but in great prosperity and worldly happiness, and so were brisk and cheerful, and lived a merry and pleasent life; and they are strong ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:20

They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries ,.... See Gill on Psalm 35:12 ; because I follow the thing that good is ; or "follow good"; a good God, whom his soul followed hard after, Psalm 63:8 ; the good Shepherd of the sheep, who led him into green pastures, whither he followed him, Psalm 23:1 ; the good Spirit of God his guide, whom he walked after, Romans 8:1 ; good and holy men of God, whom he took for examples and copied after; and every good work, which he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:21

Forsake me not, O Lord ,.... Or continue not to forsake; for he seems to have been under divine desertion, and might be under apprehensions that God had utterly forsaken him; which he entreats he would not, though his friends had forsook him, and his own strength had failed and left him, Psalm 38:10 ; O my God, be not far from me ; as to his gracious presence, and with respect to help and deliverance, otherwise God is not far from any of his creatures, being omnipresent. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:22

Make haste and help me ,.... Or, "for my help"; his case required haste, and God does help his people when none else can, and that right early; O Lord, my salvation ; by which it appears that his prayer was a prayer of faith; he saw that his salvation was in the Lord, and in no other; and though he had been and was in such a low condition, both in soul and body, yet his faith was not lost; that is an abiding grace, and will continue under the influence of the author and finisher of it,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38

David prays God to have mercy upon him, and gives a most affecting account of his miserable state, Psalm 38:1-10 ; complains of his being forsaken by his friends, and cruelly persecuted by his enemies, Psalm 38:11-16 ; confesses his sin; and earnestly implores help, Psalm 38:17-22 . The title in the Hebrew states this to be A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. The Chaldee; "A Psalm of David for a good memorial to Israel." The Vulgate, Septuagint, and Aethiopic: "A Psalm of David,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:1

O Lord, rebuke me not - He was sensible that he was suffering under the displeasure of God; and he prays that the chastisement may be in mercy, and not in judgment. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:2

Thine arrows stick fast in me - This no doubt, refers to the acute pains which he endured; each appearing to his feeling as if an arrow were shot into his body. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:3

No soundness in my flesh - This seems to refer to some disorder which so affected the muscles as to produce sores and ulcers; and so affected his bones as to leave him no peace nor rest. In short, he was completely and thoroughtly diseased; and all this he attributes to his sin, either as being its natural consequence, or as being inflicted by the Lord as a punishment on its account. read more

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