Psalms 38:17-22

Listen to Psalms 38:17-22
17 For I am 1ready to fall, And 2my sorrow is continually before me.
18 For I 3confess my iniquity; I am full of 4anxiety because of my sin.
19 But my 5enemies are vigorous and strong, And many are those who 6hate me wrongfully.
20 And those who 7repay evil for good, They 8oppose me, because I follow what is good.
21 Do not forsake me, O LORD; O my God, 9do not be far from me!
22 Make 10haste to help me, O Lord, 11my salvation!

Psalms 38:17-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 38

\\<>\\. This psalm was composed by David under some sore affliction, and when in great distress of mind by reason of sin, perhaps his sin with Bathsheba; and was written as a memorial of his sense of sin, of his great afflictions, and deliverance from them; and therefore is said to be "to bring to remembrance", or to refresh his memory with the said things. Kimchi and Ben Melech think the psalm was made for the sake of such as are in distress, to put them in mind and teach them how to pray. The Targum calls the psalm, ``a good remembrance concerning Israel;'' and Jarchi says it was to remember the distress of Israel before the Lord, and that it is said with respect to all Israel; though others think the word "lehazcir" is the name of a psalm tune; and Aben Ezra was of opinion that it was the first word of some pleasant poem. The Septuagint version adds, ``concerning the sabbath,'' as if it was wrote to put persons in mind of that day; whereas there is nothing in the whole psalm that has any such tendency.

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Cross References 11

  • 1. Psalms 35:15
  • 2. Psalms 13:2
  • 3. Psalms 32:5
  • 4. 2 Corinthians 7:9, 10
  • 5. Psalms 18:17
  • 6. Psalms 35:19
  • 7. Psalms 35:12
  • 8. Psalms 109:5; 1 John 3:12
  • 9. Psalms 22:19; Psalms 35:22
  • 10. Psalms 40:13, 17
  • 11. Psalms 27:1

Footnotes 3

  • [a] Lit "pain"
  • [b] Or "declare"
  • [c] Or "numerous"
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