The WoodshedPsalm 38

Psalm 38 A Psalm of David, for a memorial. 1

O LORD, rebuke me not in Your wrath, And chasten me not in Your burning anger. 2 For Your arrows have sunk deep into me, And Your hand has pressed down on me. 3

There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your indignation; There is no health in my bones because of my sin. 4 For my iniquities are gone over my head; As a heavy burden they weigh too much for me. 5 My wounds grow foul and fester Because of my folly. 6 I am bent over

and greatly bowed down; I go mourning all day long. 7 For my loins are filled with burning, And there is no soundness in my flesh. 8 I am benumbed and badly crushed; I groan because of the agitation of my heart. 9 Lord, all my desire is before You; And my sighing is not hidden from You. 10 My heart throbs, my strength fails me; And the light of my eyes, even that has gone from me. 11 My loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague; And my kinsmen stand afar off. 12 Those who seek my life lay snares for me; And those who seek to injure me have threatened destruction, And they devise treachery all day long.

13 But I, like a deaf man, do not hear; And I am like a mute man who does not open his mouth. 14 Yes, I am like a man who does not hear, And in whose mouth are no arguments. 15 For I hope in You, O LORD; You will answer, O Lord my God. 16 For I said, “May they not rejoice over me, Who, when my foot slips, would magnify themselves against me.” 17 For I am ready to fall, And my sorrow is continually before me. 18 For I confess my iniquity; I am full of anxiety because of my sin. 19 But my enemies are vigorous and strong, And many are those who hate me wrongfully.

20 And those who repay evil for good, They oppose me, because I follow what is good. 21 Do not forsake me, O LORD; O my God, do not be far from me! 22 Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!

The WoodshedPsalm 38

I. The Penalty A. He is chastened by God (38:1–10).

1. He is rebuked (38:1–2).2. His is suffering from sin (38:3-8).3. His suffering’s effect on others (38:9-12).

a. The Lord vv9-10b. His friends v11c. His enemies v12

II. The PardonA. His sin is confessed (38:13–22)

1. Hope is in the Lord alone (38:13–16)2. The Cure (38:18–20)3. Not just a platitude (38:21–22)

B. His sin is cleansed.

Video

The context to interpretA Psalm of David, for a memorial.

Author-DavidMemorial-To make known, to profess, to praiseRead before the sin offering

Recognition of rebukeO LORD, rebuke me not in Your wrath, And chasten me not in Your burning anger. For Your arrows have sunk deep into me, And Your hand has pressed down on me.

Psalm 38:1–2

Key verseNot only good comes from God

Chastening?and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM; FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.”

Hebrews 12:5–6

Not just for communion But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.

1 Corinthians 11:31–32

Suffering from sinThere is no soundness in my flesh because of Your indignation; There is no health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities are gone over my head; As a heavy burden they weigh too much for me. My wounds grow foul and fester Because of my folly. I am bent over and greatly bowed down; I go mourning all day long. For my loins are filled with burning, And there is no soundness in my flesh. I am benumbed and badly crushed; I groan because of the agitation of my heart.

Because of sinlost his health lost his fitness burden of guilt overwhelmed illness was festering, painful, debilitating crushed his body and spirit

Sin affects

Body

Mind

Spirit

Guilt overwhelmsFor my iniquities are gone over my head; As a heavy burden they weigh too much for me. Psalm 38:4

What about…

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:1

What is this?I am benumbed and badly crushed; I groan because of the agitation of my heart.

Psalm 38:8

Benumbed-exhausted, utterly spent Crushed in spiritAgitation-literally growling, anguish of heart

Conscience in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,

Romans 2:15

Christian conscience

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.

Hebrews 13:18

The effect on othersRelationship with God

Lord, all my desire is before You; And my sighing is not hidden from You.

Psalm 38:9

God sees but does nothing?

Practicing sin interferes with our faithThey made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets; therefore great wrath came from the LORD of hosts.

Zechariah 7:12

God warnsSee to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven.

Hebrews 12:25

Relationship with othersMy loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague; And my kinsmen stand afar off.

Psalm 38:11

EnemiesThose who seek my life lay snares for me; And those who seek to injure me have threatened destruction, And they devise treachery all day long.

Psalm 38:12

Seek advantage v16Emboldened v19Repay evil for good v20

His hope is in the Lord aloneLike a deaf and mute man-no excuses, no arguments

For I hope in You, O LORD; You will answer, O Lord my God.

Psalm 38:15

The cureFor I confess my iniquity; I am full of anxiety because of my sin.

Psalm 38:18

Not just a platitude Do not forsake me, O LORD; O my God, do not be far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!

Psalm 38:21–22

ForgivenessIf we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

The WoodshedPsalm 38