Psalm 38

Psalm 38  

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

Where do we go when we have done wrong? When guilt overwhelms us? When our actions have brought disease and suffering into our lives?

The Psalmist makes it clear that he looks to God. It is God who is near those who seek him. The psalmist indicates that his sin deserves God's wrath, but he pleads for God to forgive.

There is no conclusion where the psalmist says that he has been saved and all has been made right. However, those who know God know he will forgive. Many times after a prayer for forgiveness there isn't a huge sense of relief. Sometimes our prayers end like this psalm, with a plea and a hope, but no solid answer.

Yet we know God does forgive, and that can bring hope even if we don't feel it.

Psa 38:1-22

(1)  A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

(2)  For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.

(3)  There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.

(4)  For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.

(5)  My wounds stink and are corrupt 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 filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh.

(8)  I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.

(9)  Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.

(10)  My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.

(11)  My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.

(12)  They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.

(13)  But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.

(14)  Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs.

(15)  For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.

(16)  For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.

(17)  For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me.

(18)  For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.

(19)  But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.

(20)  They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.

(21)  Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.

(22)  Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.

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