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Chapter Summary

Psalm 38, the third penitential psalm, is David's cry under divine discipline. He describes overwhelming physical and emotional suffering: wounds festering, body bent, heart pounding, strength failing, friends withdrawing. He does not defend himself but waits silently for the Lord. He confesses his sin and asks God not to forsake him or be far from him.

Key Verses in This Chapter

Verse 9 - Lord, all my desire is before You; my sighing is not hidden from You
Verse 15 - In You, O Lord, do I hope; You will answer, O Lord my God
Verse 22 - Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation

Psalms Chapter 38

Chapter 38 of Psalms from the Holy Bible

Verses: 22Reading time: ~2 min
Reading

Verses

Psalms 38:1

O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

Psalms 38:2

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

Psalms 38:3

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

Psalms 38:4

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

Psalms 38:5

My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.

Psalms 38:6

I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.

Psalms 38:7

For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh.

Psalms 38:8

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

Psalms 38:9

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

Psalms 38:10

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

Psalms 38:11

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

Psalms 38:12

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.

Psalms 38:13

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

Psalms 38:14

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

Psalms 38:15

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

Psalms 38:16

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

Psalms 38:17

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

Psalms 38:18

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

Psalms 38:19

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

Psalms 38:20

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

Psalms 38:21

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

Psalms 38:22

Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.

People Also Ask

What is Psalms Chapter 38 about?

Psalms Chapter 38 is part of the book of Psalms in the Wisdom Literature (Poetic Books). This chapter contains 22 verses. Read the full text above to study its message in context with the surrounding chapters.

How many verses are in Psalms Chapter 38?

Psalms Chapter 38 contains 22 verses. You can use the Audio Reader to listen to this chapter read aloud, or use the font size controls above to adjust the text for comfortable reading. Bookmark individual verses by hovering over them and clicking the bookmark icon.

How can I study Psalms Chapter 38 more deeply?

To study this chapter more deeply: (1) Read the surrounding chapters for context - start with Chapter 37. (2) Explore related themes in our Faith Discussions section. (3) Find verses that match your emotional needs in Verses by Emotion. (4) Use the bookmark feature to save key verses for later reflection.