Psalms In My Palms - Book 4 - Lament

Hear, Hear!

Psalms 38:1-22; 39:1-11

        Psalm 38 is a very interesting Psalm to write a study for! My reasoning is because I see two outlines within it. One deals with the "ME" and the "THEY" pleading. The second covers a "GOD" and "ME" theme. I am compromising, so it now becomes a "GOD", "ME" and "THEY" form. My division will not resemble any you have seen.

I present "God" as the first, middle and last thought on David's mind!

"GOD" is the emphasis of Psalm 38:1-2, 9, 15, 21-22.

"ME" becomes his lamenting, penitent plea and confession.

"ME" is in Psalm 38:3-8, 10, 13-14, 17-18, (overlap) 21-22.

His enemy, friends and family are included in the "THEY".

Psalm 38:11-12, 19-20.

Notice the overlap of verses 21-22! As David's only Hope is in God as he states in verse 15.

If this sounds confusing remember in LAMENTS David lays out all his problems before God in a mix of Hope as well as Emotional outbursts of physical pain or mental anguish. He is YOU AND HE IS ME! So David begins with a plea to God for the punishment he is receiving for his own wrongdoings. Psalm 38:1-2-(NKJV)-"O Lord, (God comes first as David had sinned and knew the consequences!) "Do not rebuke me in Your wrath, nor chasten (punish so as to correct). Me, in Your hot displeasure! For Your arrows pierce me deeply, and Your hand presses me down." (Read Psalm 32:4) David feared his sin classified him as one of the cursed. He feared separation from God. (Read Psalms 6:1; 37:22)

Next David confesses the results of his sin to God in Psalm 38:3-8. This is the affects on the "ME" of this chapter-(TEV)-"Because of Your anger, I am seriously ill"; (This may mean literal bad health or mental anguish.) Whichever the problem was, David said, "Because of Your anger":

1. "I am seriously ill;". (Read Job 1:6-12; 2:7-10)

2. My whole body is diseased BECAUSE OF MY SINS." (1 Timothy 1:15-17)

3. "I am drowning in the flood OF MY SINS;". (Psalm 69:5)

4. "I am weighted down by THEIR HEAVY BURDEN." (Matthew 11:28-"Come unto Me all who are heavy laden...and I will give you rest...")

5. "Because I HAVE BEEN FOOLISH, my sores stink and rot." (Galatians 3:1-9)

6. "I am bent over, I am crushed;" (Crushed by the heavy load of sin).

7. "I mourn all day long." (Matthew 5:4)

8. "I am burning with fever, and I am seriously ill." (Deuteronomy 28:22- David knew this and feared)

9. "I am utterly crushed and defeated;" (Psalm 68:19-20)

10. "My heart is trouble, and I groan in pain." (John 14:1-7 is the promise for us)

However, "GOD" is recognized by David as his only hope-Psalm 38:9-(TLB)-"Lord, YOU know how I long for my health once more. You hear my every sigh." David is assured God would hear him as he knew God heard even his sighs before he put it into words as a prayer of LAMENT. God reads our thoughts. He is not just hearing our words of prayer. We are His creation! He knew us and all about us before we were born; so He knows us better than we know ourselves. David relied on this for His forgiveness; sighs of pain, which were self-imposed by his sin. In verse 10 of Psalm 38 David turns to God as his Light because he said, " My heart pounds; my strength abandons ME. Even the light of my eyes is gone." (Psalm 13:3; John 12:35-36-Jesus is your Light, believe in Him.)