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38:title–22 This individual lament psalm focuses on suffering caused by sin. The psalmist appears to be suffering from sickness, social alienation (v. 11), and guilt (v. 4). He asks Yahweh not to rebuke him (vv. 1–2). He describes his suffering (vv. 3–8) and complains to Yahweh about his physical (vv. 9–10) and emotional suffering (vv. 11–14). He seeks help from Yahweh as he declares his intent to wait for His answer (vv. 15–16). The psalmist then confesses and repents of his sin (vv. 17–20) before asking Yahweh not to forsake him but to save him (vv. 21–22). This was one of the early church’s penitential psalms (others include Pss 6; 32; 51; 102; 130; 143).

38:title A psalm of David See note on 3:title.

To bring to remembrance The Hebrew word used here, zakar, could suggest this psalm is in remembrance of something—functioning as a type of memorial or for use with a memorial offering (see Lev 24:7).

38:1 do not rebuke me in your anger The same opening phrase as Psa 6. See 6:1 and note.

38:2 your arrows The psalmist attributes his suffering to Yahweh. He was likely feeling the effects of divine judgment for sin.

Job uses similar imagery when attributing his suffering to God (see Job 6:4 and note).

38:5–8 The psalmist describes the physical aspects of his suffering including festering wounds (see Job 7:5 and note), a lack of health, and a sense of being feeble and crushed. He attributes this suffering to his own foolishness (Ps 107:17; see Prov 13:21 and note).

38:11 My friends and companions Social alienation appears as a common complaint in ot lament. Sufferers experienced shame and isolation because of illness, which often resulted in estrangement from friends or family (see Psa 31:11–12; Job 19:13–20).

Social alienation occurred in part because Israelites often assumed there was a connection between suffering and sin. Job’s friends, for example, believed Job was suffering because he had sinned. They encouraged him to repent so he would be restored (see Job 11:13–15 and notes). While Job’s suffering was not due to sin on his part (see Job 31:1–40 and note), there seems to be a connection here between the psalmist’s sin and his suffering (Psa 38:3).

Lonely ISBE

38:13 But as for me, like the deaf The psalmist’s illness and social alienation make him feel completely cut off from the rest of society.

38:14 retorts The Hebrew word used here, tokhachath, can mean “argument” or “reply.” Job uses it to refer to arguments for his innocence (Job 13:6; 23:4). The psalmist has no arguments here. He can only confess (Ps 38:18) and ask Yahweh not to discipline him too severely (v. 1).

38:15 for you I wait, O Yahweh An eager hope and expectation for deliverance.

38:18 my iniquity I confess The psalmist repents and confesses his sin. As in Psa 32, this represents a necessary step before restoration (see 32:3–5 and note).

38:21 Do not forsake The term azab used here means “to leave” (2 Kgs 4:30). It carries the sense of abandoning or leaving something behind (2 Kgs 7:7).

O my God, do not be far from me In addition to feeling isolated from society (see note on Psa 38:11), the psalmist feels isolated from God. See 10:1 and note.

38:22 Hurry to help me Demonstrates the urgency of the psalmist’s request; he asks Yahweh to hurry.

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