11 My lovers H157 and my friends H7453 stand H5975 aloof from H5048 my sore; H5061 and my kinsmen H7138 stand H5975 afar off. H7350
He hath put H7368 my brethren H251 far H7368 from me, and mine acquaintance H3045 are verily estranged H2114 from me. My kinsfolk H7138 have failed, H2308 and my familiar friends H3045 have forgotten H7911 me. They that dwell H1481 in mine house, H1004 and my maids, H519 count H2803 me for a stranger: H2114 I am an alien H5237 in their sight. H5869 I called H7121 my servant, H5650 and he gave me no answer; H6030 I intreated H2603 him with H1119 my mouth. H6310 My breath H7307 is strange H2114 to my wife, H802 though I intreated H2589 for the children's H1121 sake of mine own body. H990
And G1161 by G2596 chance G4795 there came down G2597 a certain G5100 priest G2409 that G1722 G1565 way: G3598 and G2532 when he saw G1492 him, G846 he passed by on the other side. G492 And G1161 likewise G3668 G2532 a Levite, G3019 when he was G1096 at G2596 the place, G5117 came G2064 and G2532 looked G1492 on him, and passed by on the other side. G492
For now ye are nothing; ye see H7200 my casting down, H2866 and are afraid. H3372 Did I say, H559 Bring H3051 unto me? or, Give a reward H7809 for me of your substance? H3581 Or, Deliver H4422 me from the enemy's H6862 hand? H3027 or, Redeem H6299 me from the hand H3027 of the mighty? H6184
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 38
Commentary on Psalms 38 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 38
Ps 38:1-22. To bring to remembrance, or, remind God of His mercy and himself of his sin. Appealing to God for relief from His heavy chastisement, the Psalmist avows his integrity before men, complains of the defection of friends and persecution of enemies, and in a submissive spirit, casting himself on God, with penitent confession he pleads God's covenant relation and his innocence of the charges of his enemies, and prays for divine comfort and help.
1-4. He deprecates deserved punishment, which is described (Ps 6:1), under the figure of bodily disease [Ps 38:3].
2. arrows … and thy hand—the sharp and heavy afflictions he suffered (De 32:23).
4. iniquities—afflictions in punishment of sin (2Sa 16:12; Ps 31:10; 40:12).
gone over mine head—as a flood.
5-8. The loathsomeness, corruption, and wasting torture of severe physical disease set forth his mental anguish [Ps 38:6]. It is possible some bodily disease was connected. The
loins are the seat of strength. His exhaustion left him only the power to groan [Ps 38:9].
9. That God can hear (Ro 8:26).
10. My heart panteth—as if barely surviving.
light … from me—utter exhaustion (Ps 6:7; 13:3).
11, 12. Friends desert, but foes increase in malignity.
12. seek after my life—(1Sa 20:1; 22:23).
13, 14. He patiently submits, uttering no reproaches or replies (Joh 19:9) to their insulting speeches;
15-17. for he is confident the
Lord—literally, "Sovereign" (to whom he was a servant), would answer his prayer (Ps 3:4; 4:1), and not permit their triumph in his partial halting, of which he was in danger.
18. Consciousness of sin makes suffering pungent, and suffering, rightly received, leads to confession.
19, 20. Still, while humbled before God, he is the victim of deadly enemies, full of malice and treachery.
enemies are lively—literally, "of life," who would take my life, that is, deadly.
21, 22. (Compare Ps 22:19; 35:3). All terms of frequent use. In this Psalm the language is generally susceptible of application to Christ as a sufferer, David, as such, typifying Him. This does not require us to apply the confessions of sin, but only the pains or penalties which He bore for us.