Psalms 38
Read Psalms 38 (WEB)+
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 pained 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 in you, Yahweh, do I hope. 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 also render evil for good are 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.
World English Bible (public domain)
“"For I am ready to fall, and my pain is ever before me."”
Psalms 38:17
Summary
Psalms 38 presents a poignant portrait of a psalmist in distress, pleading for God’s mercy amidst the afflictions of sin and the burden of his own guilt. The chapter opens with a cry for relief from God’s wrath, as the psalmist feels physically and spiritually crushed by the weight of his iniquity. He describes his suffering in vivid terms, recounting the emotional, physical, and social toll that sin has taken on his life. This public lament continues with an honest confession and a deep sense of personal responsibility for his actions. Yet, even in the depths of despair, the psalmist’s trust in God remains unshaken. He earnestly seeks God's deliverance and healing, highlighting his reliance on divine grace rather than human aid. The chapter concludes on a hopeful note, echoing the psalmist's confidence that God will not forsake him and that divine forgiveness is near at hand. Key themes of repentance, divine mercy, and the frailty of human nature underscore the psalmist's sincere plea for redemption.
Go deeper
Ask the AI about Psalms 38
Bring your question about the chapter, the key verse, or how this passage fits the rest of Scripture.
Daily Scripture study
Get a short devotional by email
One passage, one reflection, and one practical question for the day.
Subscribe free and instantly get “Depth Without Seminary” — our step-by-step study guide (PDF).
One short email each morning. Unsubscribe anytime.
Studying Psalms with a print Bible beside you? See our picks for the best study Bibles for women.
Chapter outline
How Psalms 38 unfolds
Psalm 38:1–2 A Plea for Mercy
The psalmist begins with a heartfelt plea to God, requesting not to be rebuked in wrath. He expresses the burden of God's arrows piercing him, indicating deep personal distress.
Psalm 38:3–5 Acknowledgment of Sin
He acknowledges his physical suffering as a consequence of God's indignation and his own sin. This confession reveals the heaviness of guilt weighing upon him.
Psalm 38:6–8 Intense Suffering
The psalmist describes his anguish, mourning throughout the day, and feeling faint. His vivid imagery highlights the extent of his physical and emotional pain.
Psalm 38:9–11 Isolation and Despair
He feels utterly alone, with friends and family distancing themselves from him. His deep sorrow touches on both social and spiritual isolation.
Psalm 38:12–14 Silent Endurance
Despite his turmoil, the psalmist chooses silence, likening himself to a deaf and mute man. This reflects his inner struggle and unwillingness to retaliate.
Psalm 38:15–18 Hope in God
The psalmist expresses his hope in God, asserting that he will not be abandoned. He openly declares his iniquities and expresses sorrow for his sin.
Psalm 38:19–22 Final Appeal for Help
He acknowledges the multitude of his enemies and pleads for God's presence. The chapter concludes with a desperate call for divine salvation.
Key verses
Psalms 38:17This verse captures the psalmist's ongoing struggle with pain, emphasizing the weight of his iniquity and his need for help.
Main themes in Psalms 38
repentance
Repentance surfaces prominently in verse 18, where the psalmist expresses his intention to confess his iniquity to God. This moment reflects not only a recognition of personal failure but also a yearning for divine forgiveness and reconciliation. Throughout the chapter, the theme illustrates how acknowledging one's sins is essential for healing and restoration, emphasizing that sincere remorse is a critical step in the journey back to a right relationship with God.
Explore repentance in the Bible →divine mercy
Divine mercy is a central theme expressed through the psalmist's cries for help in verses 21-22. His desperate appeals to God for salvation underline his belief in God's compassion despite his failures. This theme reinforces the notion that, even in profound despair, the psalmist trusts in God's willingness to forgive.
suffering
Suffering is vividly depicted throughout the psalm, particularly in verses 3-8, where the psalmist details both physical and emotional pain. The chapter intricately weaves his anguish with the consequences of sin, illustrating how suffering can lead to a deeper understanding of one's need for God. This theme serves to highlight the human condition and its frailty.
Explore suffering in the Bible →faith
Faith emerges as a crucial element in verse 15, where the psalmist expresses hope in God amidst his trials. Even in his suffering and isolation, he maintains trust that God will respond to his plight. This theme encapsulates the balance of despair and hope, revealing the psalmist's unwavering reliance on divine intervention.
Explore faith in the Bible →Cross-references
Passages that echo Psalms 38
- Psalm 35Psalm 35 connects through themes of distress and the psalmist's plea for divine intervention against enemies.
- Psalm 6Psalm 6 echoes the motifs of personal suffering and the desire for God's mercy in times of anguish.
- Psalm 32Psalm 32 develops the theme of confession and the relief that comes from acknowledging sin before God.
- Psalm 39Psalm 39 connects with its reflections on human frailty and the earnest cries for God's presence.
- Matthew 11Matthew 11 develops the theme of finding rest in God, similar to the psalmist's appeal for relief.
- Psalm 40Psalm 40 echoes the themes of waiting on God and experiencing deliverance from distress.
Study questions
Questions for studying Psalms 38
- What specific afflictions does the psalmist describe in verses 1-2?
- How does the psalmist acknowledge his sin in this psalm?
- What imagery does the psalmist use to express his suffering?
- In what ways does the psalmist feel isolated from others?
- How does the psalmist's response to his enemies reflect his faith?
- What is the significance of hope in God as seen in verses 15-18?
- How does the conclusion of this psalm encapsulate the overall plea for mercy?
Psalms 38: frequently asked questions
What is Psalms 38 about?+
What is the key verse in Psalms 38?+
What are the main themes of Psalms 38?+
Related chapters