Psalm 38:15-18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 38:12-22

In these verses, I. David complains of the power and malice of his enemies, who, it should seem, not only took occasion from the weakness of his body and the trouble of his mind to insult over him, but took advantage thence to do him a mischief. He has a great deal to say against them, which he humbly offers as a reason why God should appear for him, as Ps. 25:19; Consider my enemies. 1. ?They are very spiteful and cruel: They seek my hurt; nay, they seek after my life,? Ps. 38:12. That life... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:15

For in thee, O Lord, do I hope ,.... That he would plead his cause against his accusers and revilers, and who sought his hurt; that he should be delivered out of their hands, and out of all his afflictions; that he should be healed of his diseases, both of soul and body, under which he laboured; and should again enjoy the light of God's countenance, and have the discoveries of his pardoning grace and mercy; and this was the reason why he was so calm and quiet amidst the unkindnesses of his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:16

For I said, hear me ,.... This he had expressed in prayer to God; he had committed his cause to him, and entreated him that he would hear and answer him; giving this as a reason, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me ; at his misfortunes and calamities, at the continuance of his trouble and distress, both of body and mind; when my foot slippeth ; as it sometimes did through the corruptions of nature, the temptations of Satan, and the snares of the world; which is more or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:17

For I am ready to halt ,.... Meaning either that there was a proneness in him to sin; see Jeremiah 20:10 ; or that he was subject to affliction and adversity, as the same word is rendered in Psalm 35:15 ; and the words are either a reason and argument used with the Lord, to hear and keep his foot from slipping, that so his enemies might not rejoice over him, and magnify themselves against him; as they would do should he fall into sin or into any calamity, both which he was liable to:... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:18

For I will declare mine iniquity ,.... Either to men, to ease his mind, justify God in his proceedings with him, and for their caution and admonition: or rather to God, against whom he had sinned, and who only could pardon him; with a view to which he was determined to make a free and open confession of it before him: I will be sorry for my sin , or "careful" F16 אדאג "solicitus ero", Montanus; so Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Gejerus, Michaelis, Ainsworth. about it; that... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:15

In thee, O Lord, do I hope - I have no helper but thee. Thou wilt hear, O Lord my God - Thou art eternal in thy compassions, and wilt hear the prayer of a penitent soul. In the printed copies of the Hebrew text we have אלהי אדני Adonai Elohai , Lord my God; but, instead of אדני Adonai , one hundred and two of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS. read יהוה Yehovah . As this word is never pronounced by the Jews, and they consider it dreadfully sacred, in reading, wherever it occurs,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:16

When my foot slippeth - They watched for my halting; and when my foot slipped, they rejoiced that I had fallen into sin! read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:17

For I am ready to halt - Literally, I am prepared to halt. So completely infirm is my soul, that it is impossible for me to take one right step in the way of righteousness, unless strengthened by thee. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:18

I will declare mine iniquity - I will confess it with the deepest humiliation and self-abasement. 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

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