Psalm 38

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:4

Mine iniquities are gone over mine head - He represents himself as one sinking in deep waters, or as one oppressed by a burden to which his strength was unequal. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:5

My wounds stink and are corrupt - Taking this in connection with the rest of the Psalm, I do not see that we can understand the word in any figurative or metaphorical way. I believe they refer to some disease with which he was at this time afflicted; but whether the leprosy, the small pox, or some other disorder that had attacked the whole system, and showed its virulence on different parts of the outer surface, cannot be absolutely determined. Because of my foolishness - This may either... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:6

I am troubled - In mind. I am bowed down in body. I am altogether afflicted, and full of distress. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:7

For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease - Or rather, a burning; נקלה nikleh , from קלה kalah , to fry, scorch, etc., hence נקלה nikleh , a burning, or strongly feverish disease. There is no soundness in my flesh - All without and all within bears evidence that the whole of my solids and fluids are corrupt. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:8

I am feeble and sore broken - I am so exhausted with my disease that I feel as if on the brink of the grave, and unfit to appear before God; therefore "have I roared for the disquietness of my heart." That David describes a natural disease here cannot reasonably be doubted; but what that disease was, who shall attempt to say? However, this is evident, that whatever it was, he most deeply deplored the cause of it; and as he worthily lamented it, so he found mercy at the hand of God. It... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:9

Lord, all my desire is before thee - I long for nothing so much as thy favor; and for this my heart is continually going out after thee. Instead of אדני Adonai , Lord, several of Dr. Kennicott's MSS. have יהוה Yehovah . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:10

My heart panteth - סחרחר secharchar , flutters, palpitates, through fear and alarm. My strength faileth - Not being able to take nourishment. The light of mine eyes - is gone - I can scarcely discern any thing through the general decay of my health and vigor, particularly affecting my sight. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:11

My lovers - Those who professed much affection for me; my friends, רעי reai , my companions, who never before left my company, stand aloof. My kinsmen - קרובי kerobai , my neighbors, stand afar off. I am deserted by all, and they stand off because of נגעי nigi , my plague. They considered me as suffering under a Divine judgment; and, thinking me an accursed being, they avoided me lest they should be infected by my disease. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:12

They also that seek after my life - They act towards me as huntsmen after their prey; they lay snares to take away my life. Perhaps this means only that they wished for his death, and would have been glad to have had it in their power to end his days. Others spoke all manner of evil of him, and told falsities against him all the day long. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:13

But I, as a deaf man - I was conscious of my guilt, I could not vindicate myself; and I was obliged in silence to bear their insults. read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:13

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