Psalms Reading – 2.6.2022
Psalm 38
A psalm of David. A petition.
1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.
2 Your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down on me.
3 Because of your wrath there is no health in my body;
2 Your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down on me.
3 Because of your wrath there is no health in my body;
there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin.
4 My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.
4 My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.
5 My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly.
6 I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning.
7 My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body.
8 I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart.
6 I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning.
7 My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body.
8 I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart.
9 All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.
10 My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes.
11 My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away.
12 Those who want to kill me set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin;
all day long they scheme and lie. 13 I am like the deaf, who cannot hear, like the mute, who cannot speak; 14 I have become like one who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply.
15 Lord, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God. 16 For I said, “Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.” 17 For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me.
18 I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.
19 Many have become my enemies without cause; those who hate me without reason are numerous.
20 Those who repay my good with evil lodge accusations against me,
10 My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes.
11 My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away.
12 Those who want to kill me set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin;
all day long they scheme and lie. 13 I am like the deaf, who cannot hear, like the mute, who cannot speak; 14 I have become like one who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply.
15 Lord, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God. 16 For I said, “Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.” 17 For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me.
18 I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.
19 Many have become my enemies without cause; those who hate me without reason are numerous.
20 Those who repay my good with evil lodge accusations against me,
though I seek only to do what is good.
21 Lord, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God.
22 Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior.
In this penitential psalm, David sounds similar to Job in the pain to which he has plummeted. There is one major difference. Job maintained he had not sinned to cause his misery. David admits he has sinned, and the guilt is overwhelming. He admits he has caused his sickened body and soul.
Like Job, even those closest to him stay away from him. He is miserable company! Yet, true friends should be willing to draw near even when others are at their worst. It is easy to be a good friend in good times, but it is in the dark and difficult experiences of life where true friendship is tested.
It gets worse. Others have found this to be an opportunity to kill him. Those who hate him without reason have multiplied. He finds no comfort or encouragement from anyone. He is all alone.
Yet, he knows the same God who burdens us with guilt when we sin can, also, free us. David confesses his sin. He seeks to do good. He asks God to be near and not forsake him. He calls on God, who he names as “my” Lord and Savior, to come quickly to his aid.
If we have failed and fallen into sin and are overwhelmed by guilt, David shows us what to do. Even though no one else may be there for us, God is. He still speaks “my” Lord. He trusts God will forgive him. He believes God will deliver him out of the darkness he created. There is always hope with God!
Memory Verse:
Psalm 32:1, Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Question(s) to Consider:
Is this you today? Has it been you? What will you do? What did you do? How did God deliver you?