Psalms 38

Confessing Sin While Waiting for the LORD's Near Help

plea against wrathful rebuke -> sin-connected anguish -> transparent groaning before the Lord -> isolation and enemy schemes -> silent waiting for God's answer -> confession amid unjust hostility -> urgent appeal for nearness and help

World English Bible, Public Domain

Psalms 38:1–8

Lord, Your discipline is heavy and my sin has overwhelmed me; my body is in pain and my spirit is crushed, leaving me to groan for Your help.

1 Yahweh, don’t rebuke me in your wrath, neither chasten me in your hot displeasure.

2 For your arrows have pierced me, your hand presses hard on me.

3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation, neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin.

4 For my iniquities have gone over my head. As a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.

5 My wounds are loathsome and corrupt because of my foolishness.

6 I am in pain and bowed down greatly. I go mourning all day long.

7 For my waist is filled with burning. There is no soundness in my flesh.

8 I am faint and severely bruised. I have groaned by reason of the anguish of my heart.

Psalms 38:9–14

Lord, You see my heart's longing while my friends avoid me and my enemies trap me; I choose to be silent like a mute man, leaving my defense to You.

9 Lord, all my desire is before you. My groaning is not hidden from you.

10 My heart throbs. My strength fails me. As for the light of my eyes, it has also left me.

11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my plague. My kinsmen stand far away.

12 They also who seek after my life lay snares. Those who seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and meditate deceits all day long.

13 But I, as a deaf man, don’t hear. I am as a mute man who doesn’t open his mouth.

14 Yes, I am as a man who doesn’t hear, in whose mouth are no reproofs.

Psalms 38:15–22

I wait for You, Lord, to answer me; I confess my sin and my pain while my enemies grow strong, so do not stay far from me, my Savior.

15 For I hope in you, Yahweh. You will answer, Lord my God.

16 For I said, “Don’t let them gloat over me, or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips.”

17 For I am ready to fall. My pain is continually before me.

18 For I will declare my iniquity. I will be sorry for my sin.

19 But my enemies are vigorous and many. Those who hate me without reason are numerous.

20 They who render evil for good are also adversaries to me, because I follow what is good.

21 Don’t forsake me, Yahweh. My God, don’t be far from me.

22 Hurry to help me, Lord, my salvation.

Key Terms

יְהוָה YHWH H3068
יָכַח yakach H3198
קֶצֶף qetseph H7110
יָסַר yasar H3256
חֵמָה chemah H2534
חֵץ chets H2671
יָד yad H3027
בָּשָׂר basar H1320
מְתֹם methom H4974
עֶצֶם etsem H6106
חַטָּאת chatta't H2403
עָוֹן avon H5771

World English Bible (WEB): Public Domain Scripture text · License details