Psalm 38:5 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 38:1-11

The title of this psalm is very observable; it is a psalm to bring to remembrance; the 70th psalm, which was likewise penned in a day of affliction, is so entitled. It is designed, 1. To bring to his own remembrance. We will suppose it penned when he was sick and in pain, and then it teaches us that times of sickness are times to bring to remembrance, to bring the sin to remembrance, for which God contended with us, to awaken our consciences to deal faithfully and plainly with us, and set our... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:5

My wounds stink, and are corrupt ,.... Meaning his sins, which had wounded him, and for which there is no healing but in a wounded Saviour, and by his stripes we are healed, Isaiah 53:5 ; where the same word is used as here; Christ's black and blue stripes and wounds, as the word signifies, are the healing of ours, both of sins, and of the effects of them; which, to a sensible sinner, are as nauseous and loathsome as an old wound that is festered and corrupt; because of my foolishness... 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

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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 38:5

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 38:5

My wounds stink - The word rendered “wounds” here means properly the swelling or wales produced by stripes. See the notes at Isaiah 1:6; notes at Isaiah 53:5. The meaning here is, that he was under chastisement for his sin; that the stripes or blows on account of it had not only left a mark and produced a swelling, but that the skin itself had been broken, and that the flesh had become corrupt, and the sore offensive. Many expositors regard this as a mere figurative representation of the sorrow... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 38:1-11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:5

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

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

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 38:1-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 38:5

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