Psalm 38 - O LORD, Rebuke Me Not in Thy Wrath

A raw penitential prayer linking physical suffering to unconfessed sin.

Psalm 38: A Penitential Prayer

Psalm 38, one of the penitential psalms grouped in this Psalms overview, opens with David asking the LORD not to rebuke him in wrath. He describes his suffering in physical terms: arrows stuck fast, no soundness in his flesh, wounds that stink, and a heart that pants with exhaustion.


A Psalm of David, to make memorial.

O HaShem, rebuke me not in Thine anger; neither chasten me in Thy wrath.

For Thine arrows are gone deep into me, and Thy hand is come down upon me.

There is no soundness in my flesh because of Thine indignation; neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin.

For mine iniquities are gone over my head; as a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.

My wounds are noisome, they fester, because of my foolishness.

I am bent and bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day.

For my loins are filled with burning; and there is no soundness in my flesh.

I am benumbed and sore crushed; I groan by reason of the moaning of my heart.

L-rd, all my desire is before Thee; and my sighing is not hid from Thee.

My heart fluttereth, my strength faileth me; as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.

My friends and my companions stand aloof from my plague; and my kinsmen stand afar off.

They also that seek after my life lay snares for me; and they that seek my hurt speak crafty devices, and utter deceits all the day.

But I am as a deaf man, I hear not; and I am as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.

Yea, I am become as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no arguments.

For in Thee, O HaShem, do I hope; Thou wilt answer, O L-rd my G-d.

For I said: 'Lest they rejoice over me; when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.'

For I am ready to halt, and my pain is continually before me.

For I do declare mine iniquity; I am full of care because of my sin.

But mine enemies are strong in health; and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.

They also that repay evil for good are adversaries unto me, because I follow the thing that is good.

Forsake me not, O HaShem; O my G-d, be not far from me.

Make haste to help me, O L-rd, my salvation.

Even as lovers and friends stand aloof and enemies multiply, David resolves to declare his iniquity and be sorry for his sin, closing with "forsake me not, O LORD." His weakened strength is echoed in <a href="/bible/jps/psalms/chapter-40/12">Psalms 40:12</a>; move from <a href="/bible/jps/psalms/chapter-37">Psalms 37</a> to <a href="/bible/jps/psalms/chapter-39">Psalms 39</a>.