Psalm 38:1-22 O lord, rebuke me not in your wrath: neither chasten me in your hot displeasure.… Supposed to be one of David's penitential psalms. I. COMPLICATED MENTAL AND BODILY SUFFERING. (Vers. 1-8.) 1. Dread of God's further anger. Guilt makes a man full of fear and apprehension (ver. 1). 2. His sin was realized as an intolerable burden. (Ver. 4.) A load that he was unable to carry; or a great wave passing over his head and threatening to overwhelm him. 3. His sin was an enfeebling and disquieting sorrow. (Vers. 6, 8.) Continual, unintermittent, that made life one lasting agony. 4. Mental suffering brought on great bodily suffering and prostration. Body and mind react upon each other when any great trouble comes upon us; and we are reduced to the deepest pitch of misery. II. HE IS PUNISHED BY MEN AS WELL AS BY GOD. (Vers. 9-14.) 1. His friends are alienated, and refuse him any comfort. (Vers. 10, ]1.) When we feel forsaken of God and man, then our cup of agony is full, This was our Lord's experience at the Crucifixion. 2. His enemies also seek to give him his death-blow. (Vers. 12, 19, 20.) They endeavour to take advantage of his fall to ruin him and take his life. How bad men "rejoice in the iniquity" of the righteous! 3. Conscious of sin, he is obliged to be silent. (Vers. 13, 14.) Consciousness of guilt makes him unable to refute the false charges of his enemies. Of what avail is it to speak when we are deeply self-condemned? This is an aggravation of our punishment, when we cannot defend ourselves. before our foes. III. HE RENOUNCES ALL SELF-HELP TO HOPE IN GOD. (Vers. 15-22.) 1. If God did not hear him, his enemies would rejoice over him. For he himself was so weak that he had no strength to contend with them (vers. 16, 17). 2. He will earnestly repent and confess his sin. (Ver. 18.) This is our only way of restoration to the favour of God or man. Repentance is the earnest turning away from the sin with sincere loathing of mind. 3. An imploring cry for speedy rescue. (Vers. 21, 22.) When we feel as on the brink of death, we do not think of "God's time;" we are impatient for deliverance, and we cry for present help in our time of trouble. LESSON. Think into what straits and suffering a man's sins have power to bring him, and what his opportunity of salvation is in Christ. - S. Parallel Verses KJV: {A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.} O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.WEB: Yahweh, don't rebuke me in your wrath, neither chasten me in your hot displeasure. |
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