Psalm 38:1-22
A Psalm of David, for a memorial.
O Lord, rebuke me not in Thy wrath;
And chasten me not in Thy burning anger.
[2] For Thine arrows have sunk deep into me,
And Thy hand has pressed down on me.
[3] There is no soundness in my flesh because of Thine indignation;
There is no health in my bones because of my sin.
[4] For my iniquities are gone over my head;
As a heavy burden they weigh too much for me.
[5] My wounds grow foul and fester.
Because of my folly,
[6] I am bent over and greatly bowed down;
I go mourning all day long.
[7] For my loins are filled with burning;
And there is no soundness in my flesh.
[8] I am benumbed and badly crushed;
I groan because of the agitation of my heart.
[9] Lord, all my desire is before Thee;
And my sighing is not hidden from Thee.
[10] My heart throbs, my strength fails me;
And the light of my eyes, even that has gone from me.
[11] My loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague;
And my kinsmen stand afar off.
[12] Those who seek my life lay snares for me;
And those who seek to injure me have threatened destruction,
And they devise treachery all day long.
[13] But I, like a deaf man, do not hear;
And I am like a dumb man who does not open his mouth.
[14] Yes, I am like a man who does not hear,
And in whose mouth are no arguments.
[15] For I hope in Thee, O Lord;
Thou wilt answer, O Lord my God.
[16] For I said, "May they not rejoice over me,
Who, when my foot slips, would magnify themselves against me."
[17] For I am ready to fall,
And my sorrow is continually before me.
[18] For I confess my iniquity;
I am full of anxiety because of my sin.
[19] But my enemies are vigorous and strong;
And many are those who hate me wrongfully.
[20] And those who repay evil for good,
They oppose me, because I follow what is good.
[21] Do not forsake me, O Lord;
O my God, do not be far from me!
[22] Make haste to help me,
O Lord, my salvation!
Psalm 38
Open It
O Lord, rebuke me not in Thy wrath;
And chasten me not in Thy burning anger.
[2] For Thine arrows have sunk deep into me,
And Thy hand has pressed down on me.
[3] There is no soundness in my flesh because of Thine indignation;
There is no health in my bones because of my sin.
[4] For my iniquities are gone over my head;
As a heavy burden they weigh too much for me.
[5] My wounds grow foul and fester.
Because of my folly,
[6] I am bent over and greatly bowed down;
I go mourning all day long.
[7] For my loins are filled with burning;
And there is no soundness in my flesh.
[8] I am benumbed and badly crushed;
I groan because of the agitation of my heart.
[9] Lord, all my desire is before Thee;
And my sighing is not hidden from Thee.
[10] My heart throbs, my strength fails me;
And the light of my eyes, even that has gone from me.
[11] My loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague;
And my kinsmen stand afar off.
[12] Those who seek my life lay snares for me;
And those who seek to injure me have threatened destruction,
And they devise treachery all day long.
[13] But I, like a deaf man, do not hear;
And I am like a dumb man who does not open his mouth.
[14] Yes, I am like a man who does not hear,
And in whose mouth are no arguments.
[15] For I hope in Thee, O Lord;
Thou wilt answer, O Lord my God.
[16] For I said, "May they not rejoice over me,
Who, when my foot slips, would magnify themselves against me."
[17] For I am ready to fall,
And my sorrow is continually before me.
[18] For I confess my iniquity;
I am full of anxiety because of my sin.
[19] But my enemies are vigorous and strong;
And many are those who hate me wrongfully.
[20] And those who repay evil for good,
They oppose me, because I follow what is good.
[21] Do not forsake me, O Lord;
O my God, do not be far from me!
[22] Make haste to help me,
O Lord, my salvation!
Psalm 38
Open It
1. How do your friends and family treat you when you are sick?
* 2. How would you feel if all of your friends deserted you when you were sick?
3. What was the nicest thing someone did for you when you were ill?
Explore It
4. What emotion overwhelmed David? (38:1-4)
* 5. In what way had David felt the hand of the Lord? (38:1-4)
* 6. What urgent request did David present to the Lord? (38:1-22)
7. What did David believe to be the cause of his illness? (38:5)
8. What were the physical and emotional effects of David’s illness? (38:5-8)
9. How did David demonstrate his dependence on the Lord, even in the worst of circumstances? (38:9)
10. What details did David reveal about his situation? (38:10-12)
11. Why was David deserted by his friends? (38:11)
12. How was David’s suffering increased? (38:11-20)
13. How was David treated by his adversaries? (38:12)
14. Why did David describe himself as a deaf man? (38:13-14)
15. Why did David refuse to answer his enemies? (38:13-16)
* 16. Whom did David expect to act on his behalf against his enemies? (38:15)
17. How did David feel about his condition? (38:17)
18. What did David confess to the Lord? (38:18)
19. Although David confessed sin against the Lord, in what way did he believe he was innocent? (38:19-20)
20. What renewed appeal concludes the psalm? (38:21-22)
Get It
21. What does this passage teach us about relating to God during difficult times?
22. What can we learn from David’s example about how to handle sickness or depression?
23. How have your friends or family helped you through difficult times?
24. When have you felt deserted by your friends or overwhelmed by a particular problem?
25. If God is more reliable than any person, why do we hesitate to turn to Him in our times of need?
* 26. What specific problem or challenge would you like to commit to the Lord?
27. How can you demonstrate your trust in God to help you through the challenges you face?
* 28. What hope does this psalm offer those of us who face sickness, depression, or other overwhelming circumstances?
Apply It
29. For what aspect of God’s reliability or faithfulness do you thank God today?
* 30. What steps could you take to depend on the Lord through the challenges you are now facing?
31. What could you do for a friend or relative who is struggling with sickness or depression to encourage or help him or her this week?
AFFIRMATIONS
TODAY I AM:
Not rebuked in God’s wrath; neither chastened in His hot displeasure.
Having all my desire before God; and my groaning is not hid from Him.
Hoping in the Lord; and I am heard by my God.
Declaring my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin,
Following the thing that is good.
Not forsaken by the Lord; He is not far from me.
Helped hastily by the Lord my salvation.
