38:1As a child might cry to his father, so David cried to God. David was not saying, “Don’t punish me,” but, “Don’t punish me while you are angry.” He acknowledged that he deserved to be punished, but he asked that God temper his discipline with mercy. Like children, we are free to ask for mercy, but we should not deny that we deserve punishment.
Life Application Study BiblePsalmsChapter 38
Psalm 38
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 883, 884
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
38Psalm 38
Author: David
138 A psalm of David, asking God to remember him.QO LORD, don’t rebuke me in your angeror discipline me in your rage!
2Your arrows have struck deep,and your blows are crushing me.
3Because of your anger, my whole body is sick;my health is broken because of my sins.
4My guilt overwhelms me—it is a burden too heavy to bear.
5My wounds fester and stinkbecause of my foolish sins.
6Tam bent over and racked with pain.All day long I walk around filled with grief.
7A raging fever burns within me,and my health is broken.
8Tam exhausted and completely crushed.My groans come from an anguished heart.
9You know what I long for, LORD;you hear my every sigh.
10My heart beats wildly, my strength fails,and I am going blind.
11My loved ones and friends stay away, fearing my disease.Even my own family stands at a distance.
12Meanwhile, my enemies lay traps to kill me.Those who wish me harm make plans to ruin me.All day long they plan their treachery.
13But I am deaf to all their threats.I am silent before them as one who cannot speak.
14T choose to hear nothing,and I make no reply.1 For I am waiting for you, O LORD.You must answer for me, O LORD my God.
16I prayed, “Don't let my enemies gloat over meor rejoice at my downfall.”
17[amon the verge of collapse,facing constant pain.
18But I confess my sins;1am deeply sorry for what I have done.
19I have many aggressive enemies;they hate me without reason.
20They repay me evil for goodand oppose me for pursuing good.
21Do not abandon me, O LORD.Do not stand at a distance, my God.
22Come quickly to help me,O LORD my savior.Theme: Apart from God, life is fleeting and empty. This is an appeal Ibecause life is so brief.
Life Application Notes 2 notes
38:1ffThis is called a penitential psalm because David expressed sorrow for his sin (38:18). He stated that his sin led to health problems (38:1-8) and separated him from God and others, causing extreme loneliness (38:9-14). He then confessed his sin and repented (38:15-22). difficult to de nothing while they assault something so precious to us. But we don’t need to lash out in revenge or justify our position; we can trust God to protect our reputation. Jesus was silent before his accusers (Luke 23:9, 10); he left his case in God’s hands (1 Peter 2:21-24). That is a good place to leave our case, too!
Charts, profiles & sidebars from the printed pages
Study feature · page 884
for
mercy
🗺 This feature includes a map, chart or picture — view the original page image.
Study feature · page 884
aE 38:2-4 David saw his anguish as judgment from God for his sins. _ to bring them back to himself (Hebrews 12:5-11). When we repent Although God does not always send physical illness to punish us _of our sin, God promises to forgive us. He delivers us from sin’s for sin, this verse and others in Scripture (Acts 12:21-23; 1 Corin- —_ eternal consequences, although he does not promise to undo all thians 11:30-32) indicate that he does in certain circumstances. of sin’s earthly consequences. Our sin can have physical or mental side effects that can cause oe on great suffering. Sometimes God has to punish his children in order 38:13, 14 Being silent can be extremely difficult when others tear us down because we want to protect our reputation. We find it