Psalm 38:2

2 For thy weapons are fixed in me, and thou hast pressed thy hand heavily upon me.

Psalm 38:2 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 38:2

For thine arrows stick fast in me
Meaning either words with which as a father the Lord rebuked him; and which were sharp and cutting, entered into him and abode with him, and gave him much pain and uneasiness; and by which he concluded that his rebukes were in wrath and hot displeasure; such as those in ( 2 Samuel 12:11 ) ; so the words of men are compared to arrows, ( Psalms 57:4 ) ( 64:3 ) or outward afflictions, attended with inward trouble of soul; for as judgments are the arrows of God, such as famine, pestilence ( Ezekiel 5:16 ) ( Psalms 91:5 Psalms 91:6 ) ( Deuteronomy 32:21 Deuteronomy 32:42 ) ; so the chastening dispensations of Providence, under which the people of God themselves are, are so called, because they oftentimes come swiftly, suddenly, and at unawares, and are very pungent and distressing; and sometimes stick fast and continue long, by reason of which they are inwardly wounded, and conceive of God as sorely displeased with them; see ( Job 6:4 ) ;

and thy hand presseth me sore;
the afflicting hand of God, which lay heavy upon him; and is a mighty hand when laid on such worms as mortal sinful men are, who cannot bear up under it, unless they have divine supports; see ( Job 19:21 ) . This is by some supposed to be some bodily disease inflicted on him; some have thought of the leprosy, which was a stroke from the hand of God; but this is not likely, since he must have been deposed and shut up; the Jews indeed say ^F5 that he was a leper six months, and that the divine Presence was taken from him; a late learned man ^F6 thinks it was the smallpox, from the unsoundness of his flesh, the soreness of the disease, the stench of it, temporary blindness, and his friends standing aloof from him; though perhaps no other than affliction of mired for sin, comparable to the disease described, is meant.

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 In R. Obadiah in loc.
F6 De Laney's Life of King David, vol. 2. p. 146.

Psalm 38:2 In-Context

1 O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath, neither chasten me in thine anger.

2 For thy weapons are fixed in me, and thou hast pressed thy hand heavily upon me.

3 For there is no health in my flesh because of thine anger; there is no peace to my bones because of my sins.

4 For my transgressions have gone over mine head: they have pressed heavily upon me like a weighty burden.

5 My bruises have become noisome and corrupt, because of my foolishness.

6 I have been wretched and bowed down continually: I went with a mourning countenance all the day.

7 For my soul is filled with mockings; and there is no health in my flesh.

8 I have been afflicted and brought down exceedingly: I have roared for the groaning of my heart.

9 But all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hidden from thee.

10 My heart is troubled, my strength has failed me; and the light of mine eyes is not with me.

11 My friends and my neighbours drew near before me, and stood still; and my nearest of kin stood afar off.

12 While they pressed hard upon me that sought my soul: and they that sought my hurt spoke vanities, and devised deceits all the day.

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

14 And I was as a man that hears not, and who has no reproofs in his mouth.

15 For I hoped in thee, O Lord: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.

16 For I said, Lest mine enemies rejoice against me: for when my feet were moved, they spoke boastingly against me.

17 For I am ready for plagues, and my grief is continually before me.

18 For I will declare mine iniquity, and be distressed for my sin.

19 But mine enemies live, and are mightier than I: and they that hate me unjustly are multiplied.

20 They that reward evil for good slandered me; because I followed righteousness.

21 Forsake me not, O Lord my God: depart not from me.

22 Draw nigh to my help, O Lord of my salvation.