Psalm 38

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:1-22

Sin stinging like an adder. This has been called one of the penitential psalms. It may be called so without any severe strain of language; and yet its penitential tone is very far removed from that of either the thirty-second or the fifty-first psalm. There is little doubt that there is a sincere acknowledgment of the sin; but here the main stress of the grief seems to be attributable rather to the suffering consequent upon the sin, than to the guilt of the sin itself. And we cannot... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:1-22

Thoughts in affliction. The preacher saith, "In the day of adversity consider" ( Ecclesiastes 7:14 ). We should "call to remembrance"— I. THE HAND OF GOD IN AFFLICTION . Our afflictions may be various, and have various causes. But we should look higher than mere human instrumentality, or the action of natural laws. We should acknowledge the hand of God ( Psalms 38:2 ). What a change this makes l It soothes our resentments. It calms our fears. God sees all. He knows... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:1-22

A fearful picture of the sufferings which a great sin can cause. Supposed to be one of David's penitential psalms. I. COMPLICATED MENTAL AND BODILY SUFFERING . ( Psalms 38:1-8 .) 1 . Dread of God ' s further anger. Guilt makes a man full of fear and apprehension ( Psalms 38:1 ). 2 . His sin was realized as an intolerable burden. ( Psalms 38:4 .) A load that he was unable to carry; or a great wave passing over his head and threatening to overwhelm him. 3... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:2

For thine arrows stick fast in me . (On the "arrows" of the Almighty, see above, Psalms 7:13 ; and comp. Job 6:4 ; Psalms 18:14 ; Psalms 45:5 ; Psalms 64:7 ; Psalms 77:17 , etc.) It has been maintained that by "God's arrows" only sickness is meant (Hitzig); but the contrary appears from Deuteronomy 32:1-52 :23425. Hengstenberg is right, "The arrows of the Almighty denote all the chastisements of sin depending on God." And thy hand presseth me sore. The verb used is the same in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:3

There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger. The psalmist begins with a description of his bodily troubles; and, first of all, declares that there is "no soundness in his flesh," i.e. no healthiness, no feeling of vigour, no vital strength. Neither is there any rest in my bones, he says, because of my sin. His bones ache continually, and give him no rest (comp. Psalms 6:2 ; Psalms 22:14 ; Psalms 31:10 ; Psalms 42:10 ; and Job 30:17 , Job 30:30 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:4

For mine iniquities are gone over mine head ; i.e. they overwhelm me like waves of the sea. Together with my bodily pain is mingled mental anguish—a sense of regret and remorse on account of my ill-doing, and a conviction that by my sins I have brought upon me my sufferings. As an heavy burden they are too heavy for me . They press me down, crush me to the earth, are more than I can bear. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:4

Conviction of sin an element of true Christian life. "As a heavy burden." Jonah, when carried down in his living tomb to "the roots of the mountains," with the sea-weeds about his head, was not plunged in a deeper sea of trouble than David in the experience this psalm records (comp. Psalms 32:3-5 ). He felt that his troubles were the just and wise chastisement of his sins; and they lead him to confession (verse 18). He humbly bows under God's hand; but only prays that he may feel that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:5

My wounds stink and are corrupt . The writer reverts to his bodily pains. He has "wounds," which "stink" and "are corrupt;" or "fester and become noisome," which may be boils, or bed-sores, and which make him a loathsome object to others (comp. Job 9:19 ; Job 30:18 ). Because of my foolishness . Because I was so foolish as to forsake the way of righteousness, and allow sin to get the dominion over me. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:6

I am troubled ; literally, bent ; which some take physically, and explain as "twisted by violent spasms," others, psychically, as "warped in mind," "driven crazy." I am bowed down greatly; i.e. bowed to earth, crooked, as men are in extreme old age, or by such maladies as lumbago and rheumatism. I go mourning all the day long . My gait is that of a mourner—I stoop and move slowly. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:7

For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease ; my loins are full of burning (Kay, Revised Version). A burning pain in the lumbar region is apparently intended. And there is no soundness in my flesh. Repeated from Psalms 38:3 . read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:1-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:1-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:1-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:7

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