There is no soundness in my flesh Because of Your anger, Nor any health in my bones Because of my sin. Psalm 38:3
The Prayer of a Suffering Penitent
David appeals to God when he feels crushed and deserted under divine discipline. David begs God to stop disciplining him, powerfully describing his emotional turmoil and physical sufferings. Yet even when troubled by his sin, David waits for the Lord, confident “my God” will save.
38:1-4 As in 6:1, David has two concerns. His first concern is the painful distress he feels during the time of God’s discipline on his life (32L4). David’s 2nd concern is that God might be placing His heavy hand on him in wrath, as He does on the wicked. My iniquities have gone over my head: David uses expressive language to describe his loss of control: he cannot free himself from the burden of sin. This is similar to Paul speaking of himself as the “chief” of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15).
1 A Psalm of David. To bring to remembrance. O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure! 2 For Your arrows pierce me deeply, And Your hand presses me down. 3 There is no soundness in my flesh Because of Your anger, Nor any health in my bones Because of my sin. 4 For my iniquities have gone over my head; Like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 1 Tim. 1:15
38:6 I am troubled: David feels he is carrying an immense load. In this case, the heavy load is guilt.
6 I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.
38:13 David is determined, even in the gravest suffering, not to present an opportunity for his enemies to condemn the name of the Lord. In this, David’ssilence foreshadows the silence of the Savior Jesus before His accusers (see Mark 14:61).
13 But I, like a deaf man, do not hear; And I am like a mute who does not open his mouth. 14 Thus I am like a man who does not hear, And in whose mouth is no response. 15 For in You, O Lord, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God.
But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” Mark 14:61
38:18 I will declare: David’s silence is only before his enemies; to the Lord he willingly confesses his sins. He expects that the merciful God will forgive and restore him.
18 For I will declare my iniquity; I will be in anguish over my sin.
38:21 be not far from me: These words echo the sentiment of 22:1. All that is left for David is to trust in God. In that sense, David was in the right place, for confidence in any person or thing other than God Himself is misplaced trust.
21 Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, be not far from me! 22 Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!
*** “There is no soundness in my flesh Because of Your anger… I will declare my iniquity; I will be in anguish over my sin. ” David attributes his sufferings to God’s anger and his own sin. He also ask God for help. There is no other between David and God. That’s faith. – like a tendril of a grape vine, David wraps himself around God.
38 1 A Psalm of David. To bring to remembrance. O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure! 2 For Your arrows pierce me deeply, And Your hand presses me down. 3 There is no soundness in my flesh Because of Your anger, Nor any health in my bones Because of my sin. 4 For my iniquities have gone over my head; Like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. 5 My wounds are foul and festering Because of my foolishness. 6 I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. 7 For my loins are full of inflammation, And there is no soundness in my flesh. 8 I am feeble and severely broken; I groan because of the turmoil of my heart. 9 Lord, all my desire is before You; And my sighing is not hidden from You. 10 My heart pants, my strength fails me; As for the light of my eyes, it also has gone from me. 11 My loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague, And my relatives stand afar off.
12 Those also who seek my life lay snares for me; Those who seek my hurt speak of destruction, And plan deception all the day long. 13 But I, like a deaf man, do not hear; And I am like a mute who does not open his mouth. 14 Thus I am like a man who does not hear, And in whose mouth is no response. 15 For in You, O Lord, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God. 16 For I said, “Hear me, lest they rejoice over me, Lest, when my foot slips, they exalt themselves against me.” 17 For I am ready to fall, And my sorrow is continually before me. 18 For I will declare my iniquity; I will be in anguish over my sin. 19 But my enemies are vigorous, and they are strong; And those who hate me wrongfully have multiplied. 20 Those also who render evil for good, They are my adversaries, because I follow what is good. 21 Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, be not far from me! 22 Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!
