Psalm 38

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:2

Verse 2 2.For thy arrows go down in me. He shows that he was constrained by dire necessity to ask an alleviation of his misery; for he was crushed under the weight of the burden which he sustained. This rule is always to be observed in our prayers — to keep God’s promises present to our view. But God has promised that he will chastise his servants, not according to their deserts, but as they are able to bear. This is the reason why the saints so often speak of their own weakness, when they are... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:3

Verse 3 3.There is no soundness in my flesh because of thy anger Others translate, There is no beauty; but this does not seem to be so suitable. In the clause which follows, David ascribes to God the praise of righteousness, without which, the acknowledgement which he formerly made would be of little avail; nay, instead of this, such an acknowledgement sometimes rather exasperates the minds of men, so that they provoke the wrath of God still more, by charging him with cruelty, and pouring forth... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:4

Verse 4 4.For my iniquities have passed over my head. Here he complains that he is overwhelmed by his sins as by a heavy burden, so that he utterly faints under their weight; and yet he again confirms the doctrine which we have already stated, that he deservedly suffered the wrath of God, which had been inflicted on him in a manner so severe and dreadful. The word עון, avon, which we have translated iniquities, no doubt often signifies punishment, but this is only in a secondary and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:5

Verse 5 5My wounds (50) have become putrid In this verse, he pleads the long continuance of his disease as an argument for obtaining some alleviation. When the Lord declares, concerning his Church, “that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins,” (Isaiah 40:2) his meaning is, that when he has sufficiently chastised his people, he is quickly pacified towards them; nay, more, that if he continue to manifest... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:6

Verse 6 6I am bent This description clearly shows that this holy man was oppressed with extreme grief, so much so, that it is marvellous how, under such a vast accumulation of miseries, his faith was sufficiently strong to bear up his mind. When he says bowed down, he seems tacitly to contrast his humility and dejection with the pride and stubbornness of many, who refuse to be humbled by the many chastisements with which God afflicts them, but rather harden themselves, daring to resist and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:7

Verse 7 In the next verse, the word כסלים, kesalaim, which I have rendered reins, is by some translated the flanks. But the more generally received opinion is, that it denotes the part under the reins, which extends towards the haunch, or the space between the thighs and flanks, where it is supposed there had been a sore. Commentators also differ in their opinion respecting the word נקלה, nikleh, which I have rendered burning In my translation I have followed those who adhere to the original... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:9

Verse 9 9O Lord! thou knowest all my desire. He adds this, not so much in respect of God, as to strengthen himself in the hope of obtaining some alleviation of his trouble, and thus to animate himself to persevering prayer. It may be explained in a twofold sense, either as denoting his confident assurance that his prayers and groanings were heard by the Lord, or a simple declaration that he had poured out before God all his cares and troubles; but the meaning is substantially the same: for as... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:10

Verse 10 10My heart hath turned round The verb which David here uses signifies to travel or wander hither and thither; but here it is taken for the agitation or disquietude which distress of heart engenders when we know not what to do. According as men are disquieted in mind, so do they turn themselves on all sides, and so their heart may be said to turn round, or to run to and fro. But since faith, when it has once brought us into obedience to God, holds our minds fixed on his word, it might... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:11

Verse 11 11My friends and my companions stand away from my sore Here David enumerates other circumstances to show the aggravated character of his misery, that he might excite the compassion of God. One of these is, that he finds no help or solace among men. In saying that his friends stand away from him, he means, that they cease from performing any of the offices of humanity towards him. This might happen either from pride or fear. If they withdrew from this poor afflicted man because they... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:12

Verse 12 12They also that sought for my life have laid snares for me, etc. . Here another circumstance is added, that the enemies of David laid snares for him, and talked about his destruction, and framed deceits among themselves. (54) The purport of what is stated is, that while his friends cowardly sit still and will do nothing to aid him, his enemies vigorously bestir themselves, and seek by every means to destroy him. He says that they seek his life, for as they were his deadly enemies and... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:7

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:9

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:10

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:11

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:12

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