FRAMEWORKS:
Psa 38
(The
objective of these ‘Frameworks' is to provide an easy-to-read
layout of the text in order then to use these individual verses
for meditation. To focus each verse we have also added a subheading
summary as a description of what is happening)
FRAMEWORKS:
Psalm 38
A
psalm of David. A petition.
[Preliminary
Comments: The title suggests this psalm is a request,
an appeal for help from the Lord, and that it clearly is. David
is clearly suffering physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
We don't know the cause but he simply attributes it to his sin
and the sense of guilt that he has is almost overwhelming him.
It isn't only an internal thing, for people around him seem to
have turned against him as well. Implied within this, perhaps,
is that all these things are expressions of God's discipline of
him. Verses 3-5 and 18 declare his guilt but having done that
he trusts that he can now call on the Lord for help.]
v.1,2
David pleads against the Lord's anger
v.1
Lord , do not rebuke me in your anger
or discipline
me in your wrath.
v.2 Your
arrows have pierced me,
and your
hand has come down on me.
v.3-5
He believes he is suffering what he is because of his sin
v.3
Because of your wrath there is no health in
my body;
there is
no soundness in my bones because of my sin.
v.4
My guilt has overwhelmed me
like a burden
too heavy to bear.
v.5
My
wounds fester and are loathsome
because
of my sinful folly.
v.6-8a
He is also feeling in physical anguish
v.6
I
am bowed down and brought very low;
all day
long I go about mourning.
v.7
My
back is filled with searing pain;
there is
no health in my body.
v.8 I
am feeble and utterly crushed;
v.8b-10
But it is more than that, it's also a heart-emotion thing
I groan in anguish of heart.
v.9
All
my longings lie open before you, Lord;
my sighing
is not hidden from you.
v.10
My
heart pounds, my strength fails me;
even the
light has gone from my eyes.
v.11,12
Friends shun him, enemies scheme against him
v.11
My
friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds;
my neighbors
stay far away.
v.12
Those
who want to kill me set their traps,
those who
would harm me talk of my ruin;
all day
long they scheme and lie.
v.13,14
He feels utterly helpless
v.13
I
am like the deaf, who cannot hear,
like the
mute, who cannot speak;
v.14
I
have become like one who does not hear,
whose mouth
can offer no reply.
v.15,16
He determines to wait on the Lord and asks for His help
v.15
Lord , I wait for you;
you will
answer, Lord my God.
v.16
For
I said, “Do not let them gloat
or exalt
themselves over me when my feet slip.”
v.17,18
He acknowledges all aspects of his anguish
v.17
For
I am about to fall,
and my pain
is ever with me.
v.18
I
confess my iniquity;
I am troubled
by my sin.
v.19,20
People are against him for no apparent cause
v.19
Many
have become my enemies without cause;
those who
hate me without reason are numerous.
v.20
Those
who repay my good with evil
lodge accusations
against me,
though I
seek only to do what is good.
v.21,22
A final plea for the Lord to come and help him
v.21
Lord , do not forsake me;
do not be
far from me, my God.
v.22
Come
quickly to help me,
my Lord
and my Savior.
[Additional
Thoughts: The sense of guilt and shame over his failure
is very strong in David. The fact that he was described as ‘a
man after God's own heart [1 Sam 13:14 & Acts 13:22] doesn't
mean that he is perfect, for he was far from that, but it does
mean that in various ways he reflects God's heart. The fact of
feeling really bad about his own sin is one such thing and so
in this psalm we see an honesty about himself that is rarely seen
in believers, and even less in unbelievers.]
Continue
to Psa 39