The Bible — World English Bible
Psalm 38
In brief
Psalm 38 is a prayer of David, described in its title as a psalm for remembrance. It is counted among the psalms of repentance. David describes the weight of his guilt, a broken body, friends who keep their distance and the traps set by his enemies. He hides nothing from God and admits his iniquity, yet he holds on to one hope: the Lord will answer him. The psalm ends with a short cry asking God not to forsake him and to come quickly to help.
The chapter in 4 parts
1Yahweh, don’t rebuke me in your wrath, neither chasten me in your hot displeasure.
2For your arrows have pierced me, your hand presses hard on me.
3There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation, neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin.
4For my iniquities have gone over my head. As a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.
5My wounds are loathsome and corrupt because of my foolishness.
6I am in pain and bowed down greatly. I go mourning all day long.
7For my waist is filled with burning. There is no soundness in my flesh.
8I am faint and severely bruised. I have groaned by reason of the anguish of my heart.
9Lord, all my desire is before you. My groaning is not hidden from you.
10My heart throbs. My strength fails me. As for the light of my eyes, it has also left me.
11My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my plague. My kinsmen stand far away.
12They also who seek after my life lay snares. Those who seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and meditate deceits all day long.
13But I, as a deaf man, don’t hear. I am as a mute man who doesn’t open his mouth.
14Yes, I am as a man who doesn’t hear, in whose mouth are no reproofs.
15For I hope in you, Yahweh. You will answer, Lord my God.
16For I said, “Don’t let them gloat over me, or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips.”
17For I am ready to fall. My pain is continually before me.
18For I will declare my iniquity. I will be sorry for my sin.
19But my enemies are vigorous and many. Those who hate me without reason are numerous.
20They who render evil for good are also adversaries to me, because I follow what is good.
21Don’t forsake me, Yahweh. My God, don’t be far from me.
22Hurry to help me, Lord, my salvation.
Key verses
Yahweh, don’t rebuke me in your wrath, neither chasten me in your hot displeasure.
David begins by asking God not to rebuke him in his anger. He does not dispute that he is in the wrong, he only pleads that God would spare him.
For my iniquities have gone over my head. As a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.
His guilt is compared to a burden too heavy for him. The psalm describes in very physical terms what guilt can do to a whole person.
Lord, all my desire is before you. My groaning is not hidden from you.
Even with no strength left, David knows God is aware of his sighing. Prayer can come down to this: putting before God what you can no longer put into words.
For I hope in you, Yahweh. You will answer, Lord my God.
In the middle of distress the psalm changes tone: David declares that he hopes in the Lord and waits for his answer. Hope rests on the relationship with God, not on circumstances.
Don’t forsake me, Yahweh. My God, don’t be far from me. Hurry to help me, Lord, my salvation.
The last two verses are a very simple cry: do not stay far away, come quickly. God is called my salvation, which sums up the whole trust of the psalm.
Test your knowledge
Frequently asked questions about Psalm 38
What does Psalm 38 mean?
It is the prayer of a believer who suffers because of his own sin and has no human support left. David confesses his sin, describes his physical and emotional distress, then entrusts everything to God, hoping for his answer. It is traditionally counted among the psalms of repentance, with Psalms 6, 32, 51, 102, 130 and 143.
Who wrote Psalm 38?
The title attributes the psalm to David and says it is for remembrance, without naming the exact event behind it. The text speaks of sin, illness, loneliness among friends who withdraw and threatening enemies, but the Bible does not say which episode of David's life it belongs to.
How can I pray with Psalm 38?
Read it slowly when you carry guilt or a trial you can no longer explain. Remind yourself with verse 9 that God knows your desires and your sighing. Acknowledge before him what needs acknowledging, as in verse 18, then finish with verses 21 and 22 by asking him to stay close to you.
Articles quoting Psalm 38
World English Bible translation — public domain.