Psalm 38
A Psalm of Remembrance
“Anything which drives us to God is a blessing and anything which weans us from leaning on the arm of flesh, and especially that weans us from trying to stand alone is a boom to us.” Charles Spurgeon—
1) The depth of misery
2) The grasp at the arm of mercy
3) Extreme height of comfort and consolation in the end.
David prays—
Vs. 1
Rebuke me, but not in Your anger
Discipline me yes, but not in Your rage
I believe it. I am the child, You are my Father (that’s why I pray).
Remembering is good in the great times, the funning times for a man who had a great heart for God it was a time to remember those great disappointments, the pain of sin when human nature is exposed by a Holy God.
A spiritual leprosy affects the body.
God has reason to discipline but David pleads with Him.
Do discipline me but not in Your anger or wrath.
Vs. 2
1 John 1:9 – “Cleanse me from all unrighteousness”. God is striking the sin and not the sinner.
Conviction of sin is piercing – the pain of conviction is almost more than we can describe: the pain is deep and crushing. It is consuming his thoughts and his being.
Imagine remembering Bathsheba, Uriah the result of that sin that followed among his children.
Vs. 3
Mental depression weakens the body, then a weakened body reacts upon the mind.
Because of Your Anger—Because of my sin
I feel beat up – my body feels hammered.
Vs. 4
It is too much to bear.
I AM guilty!
The beggars know how to get others to help them. They expose their sores, need, poverty. They know the worse they look the more help they will get.
David is telling God, I need help.
No strength is so great that you can’t be over burdened. i.e. Samson, strong enough to pull down the temple pillars but not strong enough to live under their weight.
Sin is too heavy for me, but not for Jesus.
Vs. 5-8
My wounds stink and are corrupt.
The scriptural feeling of sin is indispensable to the feeling of salvation.
We feel sin before we feel forgiven.
Vs. 6
I am:
· Troubles
· Wearied with distress
· Writhing in pain
· Bowed down
Vs. 7
· Ravaged with fever
· Broken
Vs. 8
· Exhausted, feeble
· Completely cruel
Vs. 9
Lord, all my desire is before You.
Even if I don’t speak it You understand it.
God knows the longings of our hearts.
Nothing is hidden from Him. He understands ALL the symptoms and He is our Great Physician. Psalm 37:4
Vs. 10
My heart beat is out of control, my strength fails.
Part the Waters
When I think I’m going under – part the waters, Lord.
When I feel the waves around me – calm the sea.
When I cry for help, O hear me Lord – hold out Your hand.
Touch my life – still the raging storm in me.
Knowing You love me through the burden I must bear –
Hearing Your footsteps lets me know I’m in Your care –
And in the night of my life, You bring the promise of day.
Knowing You love me helps me face another day –
Hearing Your footsteps drives the clouds and fears away-
And in the tears of my life I see the sorrow You bore.
Here is my pain, heal it once more.
“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart.” Ps. 27:14
Vs. 11
Those closest to me have abandoned me.
Vs. 13-16
Wisdom makes the right choices
· I will not listen
· I will not defend myself
· I will wake on my God
· He will defend me
· I choose to trust God with my enemies
David’s hope was in God’s intervention.
His belief was in the power of prayer.
Hebrews 6:18 “fly for refuge unto the hope that is set before thee.”
Our hope is strengthened by confidence in God’s answering prayer.
Vs. 16
The slightest spot on a pure white shirt is easily noticed.
David is asking God to protect his character, his name – not now, ‘when I am down’/
Who hasn’t been vulnerable to the attacks of other’s opinions, and hurt by them.
David still has not experienced the healing/cleansing power of the Holy Spirit’s application of the blood of Jesus.
Vs. 17
He feels on the verge of collapse.
“I am ready to halt.” I am ready to confess my sin and take the punishment.
Vs. 18
I confess my sins.
I am sorry.
I Samuel 7:6 – they drew water and poured it out before the Lord
Job 16:20 – my friends scorn me but I pour out my tears to God
Ps. 119:136 – rivers of tears gush from my eyes
Jeremiah 9:1 – oh that my eyes were a fountain of tears, I would weep forever
Vs. 19-20
My enemies
· Hate me
· They are many
· They repay good with evil
· They hate me because of my stand for right
Jesus’ friends abandoned Him and as He died; the enemies of His cross and His gift of love were forming as He died.
Vs. 21
I need Thee, oh I need Thee –
Now Lord, I need You! Cover me with Your love. Shelter me. Come close.
Vs. 22
Faith tried
Faith trembling
Faith crying
Faith grasping
Faith conquering
Faith triumphant
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