Psalms 38:2 - Exposition

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 both clauses; but it is difficult to express both ideas by one term in English. Dr. Kay makes the attempt by translating, "For thine arrows have sunk deep in me; yea, thine hand sank heavily on me."