Psalm 38

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:14

No reproofs - תוכחות tochachoth , arguments or vindications; a forensic term. I was as a man accused in open court, and I could make no defense. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:15

In thee, O Lord, do I hope - I have no helper but thee. Thou wilt hear, O Lord my God - Thou art eternal in thy compassions, and wilt hear the prayer of a penitent soul. In the printed copies of the Hebrew text we have אלהי אדני Adonai Elohai , Lord my God; but, instead of אדני Adonai , one hundred and two of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS. read יהוה Yehovah . As this word is never pronounced by the Jews, and they consider it dreadfully sacred, in reading, wherever it occurs,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:16

When my foot slippeth - They watched for my halting; and when my foot slipped, they rejoiced that I had fallen into sin! read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:17

For I am ready to halt - Literally, I am prepared to halt. So completely infirm is my soul, that it is impossible for me to take one right step in the way of righteousness, unless strengthened by thee. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:18

I will declare mine iniquity - I will confess it with the deepest humiliation and self-abasement. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:19

But mine enemies are lively - Instead of חיים chaiyim , lively, I would read חינם chinam , without cause; a change made by the half of one letter, נ nun for a י yod . See the parallel places, Psalm 35:19 ; (note); Psalm 79:5 ; (note). See also the Preliminary Dissertation to Dr. Lowth's Isaiah, p. 40: "But without cause my enemies have strengthened themselves; and they who wrongfully hate me are multiplied." Here the one member of the verse answers to the other. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:20

Because I follow the thing that good is - The translation is as bad as the sentence is awkward. טוב רדפי תחת tachath rodpi tob , because I follow goodness. There is a remarkable addition to this verse in the Arabic: "They have rejected me, the beloved one, as an abominable dead carcass; they have pierced my body with nails." I suppose the Arabic translator meant to refer this to Christ. None of the other Versions have any thing like this addition; only the Ethiopic adds, "They rejected... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:21

Forsake me not, O Lord - Though all have forsaken me, do not thou. Be not far from me - Though my friends keep aloof, be thou near to help me. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:22

Make haste to help me - I am dying; save, Lord, or I perish. Whoever carefuIly reads over this Psalm will see what a grievous and bitter thing it is to sin against the Lord, and especially to sin after having known his mercy, and after having escaped from the corruption that is in the world. Reader, be on thy guard; a life of righteousness may be lost by giving way to a moment's temptation, and a fair character sullied for ever! Let him that most assuredly standeth take heed lest he fall. ... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:1

Verse 1 1O Jehovah! rebuke me not in thy wrath As I have already expounded this verse in the beginning of the sixth psalm, where it occurs, and that I may not prove tedious to the reader, I shall notice it more briefly here. David does not expressly ask that his afflictions should be removed, but only that God would moderate the severity of his chastisements. Hence we may infer, that David did not give loose reins to the desires of the flesh, but offered up his earnest prayer in a duly... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:14

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:22

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:1

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