Psalm 38:3

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

Psalm 38:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 38:3

[There is] no soundness in my flesh, because of thine anger,
&c.] Such was the nature of the affliction the psalmist laboured under, and which he took to be an effect of the anger of God towards him, that the whole frame of nature was affected with it, and from the crown of the head to, the soles of the feet there was no health or soundness, as in ( Isaiah 1:6 ) ; where the same word is used as here; some think the word

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FOOTNOTES:

F7 here used has the signification of man; and that the sense is, that through, the violence of the distemper he had not so much, as the form of a man, as his antitype in ( Isaiah 52:14 ) ; and as this led him to a view of his sins, as the cause of his affliction, he was so far from thinking himself sound and whole, or perfect in a spiritual sense, that he saw he was all over diseased with sin, and that in his flesh dwelt no good thing;

neither [is there any] rest in my bones, because of my sin;
or "peace"
F8 there; sin breaks the believer's rest, and disturbs his peace; nor can he, in a view of it, find any rest in himself, nor in any creature, nor in any service or duty, only in Jesus Christ, his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice.

F7 (Mtm Nya) "non superest amplius ulla forma seu figura hominis", Amama; so Joseph Kimchi.
F8 (Mwlv Nya) "non (est) pax", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Tigurine version, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Musculus, Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis; so Ainsworth.

Psalm 38:3 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.