The Lord’s Discipline
July 16, 2021
Commentary
David states that his sin had led to health problems (vv. 1-8) and separated him from God and others causing extreme loneliness (vv. 9-14). He has been deserted by his friends and threatened by his foes. His only hope is to trust in the Lord.
David knew he had sinned and a rebuke was necessary and he asked the Lord not to punish him while he is angry (v. 1). He told the Lord that His arrows had penetrated deeply (v. 2). He had no doubt that the condition in which he found himself was the direct result of God’s judgment on him. We don’t get away with sin. In this passage, we find a brief description of David’s anguish (vv. 3-8). Physically he had lost his strength and his whole body was given to continual aching and is bent over as in old age (v. 6). He was not only suffering physically but with great anguish of soul and mind. The servants in the royal palace must have whispered to themselves at the cries from David’s sick room as he cried out from the very depths of his soul (v. 8).
He continues by saying my health is gone (v.9), my heart beats wildly and I am going blind (v. 10). In addition to the physical distress and pain, his near acquaintances and relatives kept their distance from his suffering and his enemies spent all of their waking hours planning treachery and trying to kill him (vv. 11-12). So overwhelming was his situation that at times David sat deaf and dumb in the presence of God (v.13). I am sure that David never expected anything like this when he first began to play with sin. But then, neither do we. He continues by saying he is deaf to all of their threats and silent as a man that can’t speak (v. 14).
Application
David knew that he was weak spiritually and that his enemies were after him so he cried out to God for help. I am weak and the forces of evil are after me so I need to spend time in prayer.
Psalms 38:1– 14 (NET)
1 O Lord, do not continue to rebuke me in your anger. Do not continue to punish me in your raging fury.
2 For your arrows pierce me, and your hand presses me down.
3 My whole body is sick because of your judgment; I am deprived of health because of my sin.
4 For my sins overwhelm me; like a heavy load, they are too much for me to bear.
5 My wounds are infected and starting to smell, because of my foolish sins.
6 I am dazed and completely humiliated; all day long I walk around mourning.
7 For I am overcome with shame, and my whole body is sick.
8 I am numb with pain and severely battered; I groan loudly because of the anxiety I feel.
9 O Lord, you understand my heart’s desire; my groaning is not hidden from you.
10 My heart beats quickly; my strength leaves me. I can hardly see.
11 Because of my condition, even my friends and acquaintances keep their distance; my neighbors stand far away.
12 Those who seek my life try to entrap me; those who want to harm me speak destructive words. All day long they say deceitful things.
13 But I am like a deaf man—I hear nothing; I am like a mute who cannot speak.
14 I am like a man who cannot hear and is incapable of arguing his defense.