Psalm 38:8-13

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

Matthew Henry

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 38:8

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:9

Lord, all my desire is before thee ,.... To be delivered from his afflictions, to have a discovery and application of pardoning grace, and to have communion with his God: the desire of his soul was unto these things; and it was some satisfaction to him that it was before the Lord, and known unto him, before whom all things are naked and open; and my groaning is not hid from thee ; under the weight of his affliction, the burden of his sin, and which he expressed in prayer to the Lord,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:10

My heart panteth ,.... Or "goes about" F13 סחרחר "circuivit", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus. ; runs here and there, and finds no rest; as Aben Ezra interprets the word from the Targum he cites; though the Targum we have renders it, "my heart shakes with fear", or dread, as persons in a fever. Jarchi interprets the word, surrounded with grief; it denotes the panting or palpitation of the heart, through sorrow and dread, and the failing of it, even as at death; my strength faileth me... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:11

My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore ,.... As if it was a plague sore, lest they should be infected with it; or because they could not bear the stench of his wounds, and the loathsomeness of his disease, or to see him in his agonies, and hear his roaring and his groans, Psalm 38:2 ; or as taking his case to be desperate, as if he was just dying, and no help could be given him, Psalm 38:10 ; If it was the leprosy, as some Jewish writers have affirmed, the word נגע ,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:12

They also that seek after my life ,.... His avowed and implacable enemies, whom nothing would satisfy but the taking away of his life: these came too near him; for these, he says, lay snares for me , as Satan does for the souls of men, as the Jews did for Christ, and as wicked men do for the saints, Psalm 124:7 ; and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things ; to the injury of his character and reputation: and imagine deceits all the day long ; contrive artful schemes... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:13

But I, as a deaf man , heard not ,.... He acted the part of a deaf man, and made as if he did not hear the mischievous things his enemies spoke; as Saul, when the sons of Belial spoke against him and despised him, 1 Samuel 10:27 ; and as our Lord when his enemies accused him, Matthew 27:12 ; and I was as a dumb man, that openeth not his mouth ; made no reply to what they said, and did not render railing for railing; in which Christ was the antitype of him, Isaiah 53:7 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:8

I am feeble and sore broken - I am so exhausted with my disease that I feel as if on the brink of the grave, and unfit to appear before God; therefore "have I roared for the disquietness of my heart." That David describes a natural disease here cannot reasonably be doubted; but what that disease was, who shall attempt to say? However, this is evident, that whatever it was, he most deeply deplored the cause of it; and as he worthily lamented it, so he found mercy at the hand of God. It... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 38:9

Lord, all my desire is before thee - I long for nothing so much as thy favor; and for this my heart is continually going out after thee. Instead of אדני Adonai , Lord, several of Dr. Kennicott's MSS. have יהוה Yehovah . read more

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