READ: Ps. 38:1–23: … O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your wrath … there is no soundness … But for You, O LORD, I hope … I am troubled because of my sin … Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation …
David undergoes a serious illness and expresses three complaints. The first complaint is that he sees his illness as a just punishment from the LORD for a serious sin he has committed.
In that illness he feels as though he is being crushed, not only physically, but also spiritually. V.4: “there is no soundness in my bones”; v.5: “my iniquities have gone over my head.” David then expresses to the LORD that He knows how severe his condition is (v.10).
The second complaint is that his loved ones and friends keep their distance; they do not visit him (v.11ff.). From their side there is no comfort. His adversaries even try to use his illness for their purpose: to strike and eliminate him. He must hear their accusations and insults without being able to respond (v.13).
In that heavy trial, where friend and foe leave him or seek to destroy him, David urgently appeals to the LORD: “But for You, O LORD, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God!”
Thus David testifies of his steadfast trust in the LORD. He knows himself to be sinful, but also realizes that his only salvation is to be found with the LORD, especially now that all forsake him.
Then David expresses his third complaint: I am ready to fall, and my enemies rejoice over it. David wants to make known to the LORD the seriousness of the situation. He asks forgiveness: he is troubled about his sins and knows that he has wronged the LORD.
Now that he asks forgiveness, he may also expect that the LORD will no longer punish him. At the same time he sees that his enemies wish him dead. Therefore, in his distress, he confesses his dependence on the LORD: “Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!”
This Psalm also is put upon our lips to seek our help continually from the LORD.
Do you yourself know such moments?
Singing: Ps. 38:1,9,10