Psalm 38 explained: Guilt, Sickness and a Cry for Help

Begging for gentleness (vv. 1-4)

The writer, traditionally David, feels his suffering as the LORD's discipline and pleads that it not come in anger. The arrows and heavy hand are pictures of sharp, crushing troubles, which he connects to his own wrongdoing, now rising over his head like floodwater.

A body breaking down (vv. 5-8)

He describes festering wounds, a bent back, burning pain in his lower back and constant groaning. Scholars are unsure whether this is a real disease, a picture of inner anguish, or both.

Seen by God, avoided by others (vv. 9-12)

He finds some comfort that God already sees every sigh, even as his heart races and his eyes grow dim. Friends and family keep their distance from his wounds, while enemies set traps, talk of his ruin and spread lies.

Silent before his accusers (vv. 13-16)

He refuses to answer the lies, acting as if deaf and unable to speak, and trusts the LORD to answer for him. Christians have read this silence in light of Jesus staying quiet before his accusers.

Guilty, yet wronged (vv. 17-20)

Close to collapse, he openly admits his wrongs to God. Yet he also insists his enemies hate him without cause and repay his kindness with harm, so he sees himself as at fault before God but not before them.

A final urgent plea (vv. 21-22)

The psalm ends with no relief yet, only a cry for God to stay near and come quickly. He still calls God his savior, the one he expects to rescue him.

Key verse: Psalm 38:18

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on whether this psalm shows that illness can be God's direct punishment for sin, or is one person's honest way of experiencing suffering that should not be turned into a general rule.

Something to think about

When you are hurting, do you tend to look for something you did to deserve it, or to resist that idea, and where do you think that instinct comes from?