Psalm 38

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:13

Verse 13 13But I, as a deaf man, hear not, etc. The inspired writer here compares himself to a dumb and deaf man, for two reasons. In the first place, he intimates that he was so overwhelmed with the false and wicked judgments of his enemies, that he was not even permitted to open his mouth in his own defense. In the second place, he alleges before God his own patience, as a plea to induce God the more readily to have pity upon him; for such meekness and gentleness, not only with good reason,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:15

Verse 15 15For on thee, O Jehovah! do I wait. David here shows the source of his patience. It consisted in this, that, trusting in the grace of God, he overcame all the temptations of the world. And certainly, the mind of man will never be framed to gentleness and meekness, nor will he be able to subdue his passions, until he has learned never to give up hope. The Psalmist, at the same time, adds, that he cherished his hope by constant meditation, lest he should yield to despair. And this is... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:16

Verse 16 16For I said, lest they rejoice over me. Here he also confirms his faith and his earnestness in prayer from this consideration, that if he should be forsaken of God, his enemies would triumph. This indignity, on their part, is of no small weight in inducing God to help us; for the wicked, in thus magnifying themselves against us, and indulging in derision, not only make war with our flesh, but also directly assail our faith and endeavor to destroy whatever there is of religion and the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:17

Verse 17 17Surely I am ready to halt This verse has led expositors to suppose that David was afflicted with some sore, from which he was afraid of having brought upon him the infirmity of halting all his days; but I have already shown, in Psalms 35:15, that this supposition is very improbable. We have certainly no greater reason for supposing that David was lame than that Jeremiah was so, when he said, “All my familiars watched for my halting.” — (Jeremiah 20:10,) I therefore think that... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:18

Verse 18 18and 19Surely I declare my iniquity. By comparison, he amplifies what he had just said concerning the pride and the reproachful conduct of his enemies; for he says, that whilst he is lying in a filthy and wretched condition, like a wicked man, and one abandoned by God, they fly about in mirth and gladness, nay, they carry their heads high, because they are rich and powerful. But first, it is proper to notice in what sense it is that he declares his sin. Those, in my judgment, are... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:19

Verse 19 This living, (58) which he attributes to his enemies, implies as much as to enjoy continued and abundant prosperity in all things; and therefore he adds, that they are become strong and increase in power I interpret the word רבב, rabbab, in this place, increase in power, because he would speak improperly were he to be understood as saying, that they were multiplied. He does not here complain that they increased in number, but rather exalts their greatness, because the more they... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:20

Verse 20 This is more fully confirmed in the following verse, in which he declares that they requited him evil for the good which he had done them. More than this, however, is implied in the language of David. It implies that he not only abstained from all hurtful dealing towards his enemies, but that he had done them all the good which was in his power; and on this account the rage of the wicked is the less excusable, which not only moves them to do harm to others without cause, but which... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:21

Verse 21 In these concluding verses, David briefly states the chief point which he desired, and the sum of his whole prayer; namely, that whereas he was forsaken of men, and grievously afflicted in every way, God would receive him and raise him up again. He uses three forms of expression; first, that God would not forsake him, or cease to take care of him; secondly, that he would not be far from him; and, thirdly, that he would make haste to help him. David was, indeed, persuaded that God is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:1

O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath (comp. Psalms 6:1 , where the first of the penitential psalms begins similarly). The prayer is for the cessation of God's wrath , rather than of the "rebuke" which has resulted from it. Neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure (see the comment on Psalms 6:1 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:1-22

The psalm is ascribed to David by the title, but is not generally allowed to be his. It is assigned commonly to an unknown sufferer. Still, some modern critics, notably Canon Cook, in the 'Speaker's Commentary,' accept the statement of the title, and find the psalm very suitable to the circumstances of David "at the period just preceding the revolt of Absalom." Canon Cook holds that "at that time there are indications that David was prostrate by disease, which gave full scope to the... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:13

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:15

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:16

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:18

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:19

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:20

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:1-22

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