Psalms 38 ~ Listen and Read Along

Dramatized KJV
 JV McGee
Tortured by pain of body and anguish of mind, deserted by his friends, mocked and menaced by his enemies, the Psalmist lays his cause before God. In his sufferings he recognises the merited punishment of his sins. David submits to the insults of his enemies with a meek resignation which is a distinguishing feature of the Psalm. For the most part he simply pleads the extremity of his plight as an argument to move God's compassion. Only at the opening and close does he directly ask for relief (v. 21-22), and at the beginning of each division (vv. 9; 15), addresses God with words of faith and hope.

Title. To bring to remembrance: Either to God, that by this humble and mournful prayer he might prevail with God to remember and pity him; or to himself, that by reviewing this Psalm afterward, he might call to mind his former danger and misery, and God's wonderful mercy in delivering him. And that others also might remember what God had done for him. David bewails his sins so pathetically in it, that it is reckoned among the penitential Psalms. He complains of God's displeasure and of his sins, (v. 1-5). Of his affliction, (v. :6-10). Of the unkindness of his friends and the injuries of his enemies, (v. 11-20). Prays to God for help, (v. 21~22).

The Treasury of David

 

Do Not Forsake Me, O Lord    

Psalms 38:1 A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. 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.
   Previous Chapter   Return HOME   Next Bible Chapter