Psalm 38:6

6 I am ¹utterly bowed down and ²prostrate; all the day I ³go about mourning.

Psalm 38:6 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 38:6

I am troubled
Discomposed and perplexed in mind; his thoughts were disturbed and irregular, and in the utmost confusion and distress: this trouble was not only on account of the affliction that was upon him, but chiefly because of his sin; and which was increased by the view he had of the displeasure of God, concluding he was come forth against him in wrath and fury;

I am bowed down greatly;
not in his body, at least not in that only, as if he was bowed together by his disorder, that he could not lift himself up; for he is said to walk in the next clause: or rather he bowed down his head as a bulrush voluntarily, and through sorrow and shame could not lift it up before the Lord; though it may chiefly design the pressure of his mind, that his soul was cast down within him, and with all his spiritual reasonings he could not erect himself; it is the Lord that raiseth up those that are bowed down in this sense; see ( Psalms 42:5 Psalms 42:6 Psalms 42:11 ) ( 145:14 ) ;

I go mourning all the day long;
or "I go black", or "in black" ^F9; meaning either that his skin was black, through the disease upon him, and the trouble that was in him, ( Job 30:30 ) ; or that he was clothed in black garments, as a token of mourning; as white garments were of joy and cheerfulness, ( Ecclesiastes 9:7 Ecclesiastes 9:8 ) ; and he was blacker still in his own apprehension, by reason of inward corruptions and outward transgressions, which appeared in a very black hue, attended with aggravating circumstances; see ( Song of Solomon 1:5 ) ( Psalms 51:7 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 (rdwq) "atratus", Montanus, Tigurine version, Vatablus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis.

Psalm 38:6 In-Context

4 For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.

5 My wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness,

6 I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; all the day I go about mourning.

7 For my sides are filled with burning, and there is no soundness in my flesh.

8 I am feeble and crushed; I groan because of the tumult of my heart.

Cross References

• 1. 38:6 Ps. 35:14; 42:5, 6, 11; 43:5
• 2. 38:6 Isa. 21:3
• 3. 38:6 [Job 30:28]