Psalms 38:1-22 - Homilies By C. Short

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 . His sin was an enfeebling and disquieting sorrow. ( Psalms 38:6 , Psalms 38:8 .) Continual, unintermittent, that made life one lasting agony.

4 . Mental suffering brought on great bodily suffering and prostration. Body and mind react upon each other when any great trouble comes upon us; and we are reduced to the deepest pitch of misery.

II. HE IS PUNISHED BY MEN AS WELL AS BY GOD . ( Psalms 38:9-14 .)

1 . His friends are alienated , and refuse him any comfort. ( Psalms 38:10 , ]1.) When we feel forsaken of God and man, then our cup of agony is full, This was our Lord's experience at the Crucifixion.

2 . His enemies also seek to give him his death-blow. ( Psalms 38:12 , Psalms 38:19 , Psalms 38:20 .) They endeavour to take advantage of his fall to ruin him and take his life. How bad men "rejoice in the iniquity" of the righteous!

3 . Conscious of sin , he is obliged to be silent. ( Psalms 38:13 , Psalms 38:14 .) Consciousness of guilt makes him unable to refute the false charges of his enemies. Of what avail is it to speak when we are deeply self-condemned? This is an aggravation of our punishment, when we cannot defend ourselves. before our foes.

III. HE RENOUNCES ALL SELF - HELP TO HOPE IN GOD . ( Psalms 38:15-22 .)

1 . If God did not hear him , his enemies would rejoice over him. For he himself was so weak that he had no strength to contend with them ( Psalms 38:16 , Psalms 38:17 ).

2 . He will earnestly repent and confess his sin. ( Psalms 38:18 .) This is our only way of restoration to the favour of God or man. Repentance is the earnest turning away from the sin with sincere loathing of mind.

3 . An imploring cry for speedy rescue. ( Psalms 38:21 , Psalms 38:22 .) When we feel as on the brink of death, we do not think of "God's time;" we are impatient for deliverance, and we cry for present help in our time of trouble.

LESSON . Think into what straits and suffering a man's sins have power to bring him, and what his opportunity of salvation is in Christ.—S.