O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure ,.... This and the following clause are the same as in Psalm 6:1 , only instead of wrath there it is anger; See Gill on Psalm 6:1 . read more
For thine arrows stick fast in me ,.... Meaning either words with which as a father the Lord rebuked him; and which were sharp and cutting, entered into him and abode with him, and gave him much pain and uneasiness; and by which he concluded that his rebukes were in wrath and hot displeasure; such as those in 2 Samuel 12:11 ; so the words of men are compared to arrows, Psalm 57:4 or outward afflictions, attended with inward trouble of soul; for as judgments are the arrows of God, such as... read more
There is no soundness in my flesh, because of thine anger ,.... Such was the nature of the affliction the psalmist laboured under, and which he took to be an effect of the anger of God towards him, that the whole frame of nature was affected with it, and from the crown of the head to, the soles of the feet there was no health or soundness, as in Isaiah 1:6 ; where the same word is used as here; some think the word F7 אין מ־תאם "non superest amplius ulla forma seu figura hominis",... read more
For mine iniquities are gone over mine head ,.... Like an inundation of waters, as the waves and billows of the sea; for the waters to come up to the neck or chin shows great danger; but when they go over the head the case is desperate, and a person is sinking and drowning; compare with this Psalm 69:1 ; the simile may denote both the number and weight of sins, and also signifies the overwhelming distress the psalmist was in, under a view of them; as an heavy burden, they are too heavy... read more
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
I am troubled ,.... Discomposed and perplexed in mind; his thoughts were disturbed and irregular, and in the utmost confusion and distress: this trouble was not only on account of the affliction that was upon him, but chiefly because of his sin; and which was increased by the view he had of the displeasure of God, concluding he was come forth against him in wrath and fury; I am bowed down greatly ; not in his body, at least not in that only, as if he was bowed together by his disorder,... read more
For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease ,.... The word here used has the signification of burning F11 R. Joseph Kimchi & Abendana נקלה "ardore", Pagninus, Vatablus; "ardens ulcus", Musculus, so some in Vatablus; "tostione", Piscator; "adustione", Gejerus; so the Targum; "adusto", Gussetius, Ebr. Comment. p. 742. ; and the Targum renders it, "my loins are filled with burning"; a burning fever was upon him, or there was an inflammation in those parts; a hot burning... read more
I am feeble ,.... Both in body, natural strength being weakened by the affliction, and dried up like a potsherd by the heat of the distemper; and in soul, being weak in the exercise of faith and other graces. The word is used of Jacob, fainting at and disbelieving the news of his son Joseph being alive, Genesis 45:26 ; and sore broken ; in his constitution with the disease, and in his mind with trouble; especially for his sin, and under a sense of the divine displeasure; his bones were... read more
O Lord, rebuke me not - He was sensible that he was suffering under the displeasure of God; and he prays that the chastisement may be in mercy, and not in judgment. read more
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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