Psalm 38: A Powerful Prayer for Anyone Carrying Pain

Psalm 38 is a heartfelt prayer of King David, spoken from a place of deep physical and emotional suffering. Burdened by the consequences of his sins, David pours out his pain before Hashem, acknowledges his wrongdoing, and turns to Him in sincere repentance.

Throughout the psalm, David describes his illness, loneliness, and the hostility of his enemies. Yet even in the midst of overwhelming distress, he never loses hope. Instead, he places his complete trust in Hashem, believing that only He can bring healing and salvation.

The psalm speaks not only to an individual facing hardship, but also to the Jewish people during times of national suffering. It concludes with a moving plea that continues to resonate today:

"Hurry to help me, Hashem, my salvation."

The Full Chapter

(1) A psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.

(2) Hashem, do not rebuke me in Your anger, and do not discipline me in Your wrath.

(3) For Your arrows have pierced me, and Your hand has come down upon me.

(4) There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your indignation; there is no peace in my bones because of my sin.

(5) For my iniquities have risen above my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.

(6) My wounds are foul and festering because of my foolishness.

(7) I am bent and utterly bowed down; all day long I walk in gloom.

(8) For my loins are filled with burning, and there is no soundness in my flesh.

(9) I am exhausted and crushed beyond measure; I roar from the anguish of my heart.

(10) My Lord, all my desire is before You, and my groaning is not hidden from You.

(11) My heart pounds, my strength has left me, and even the light of my eyes is gone from me.

(12) My loved ones and companions stand apart from my affliction, and my relatives keep their distance.

(13) Those who seek my life lay traps, and those who seek my harm speak destruction; all day long they plot deceit.

(14) But I am like a deaf man who does not hear, and like a mute who does not open his mouth.

(15) I have become like a man who does not hear, and in whose mouth there are no replies.

(16) For in You, Hashem, I place my hope; You will answer, my Lord, my Hashem.

(17) For I said: Let them not rejoice over me; when my foot slips, they make much of themselves against me.

(18) For I am ready to stumble, and my pain is always before me.

(19) For I confess my iniquity; I am anxious because of my sin.

(20) But my enemies are vigorous and strong, and many are those who hate me falsely.

(21) Those who repay evil for good oppose me because I pursue what is good.

(22) Do not forsake me, Hashem; my Hashem, do not be far from me.

(23) Hurry to help me, my Lord, my salvation.

Key Phrases Explained

"There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your indignation"
There is no health or wholeness left in my body because of Your anger.

"I am bent and utterly bowed down"
I have become physically bent over and weighed down by illness and suffering.

"For my loins are filled with burning"
My body is filled with pain, sickness, and affliction.

"I am exhausted and crushed beyond measure"
I have become completely weakened and overwhelmed by suffering.

"Those who seek my life lay traps"
My enemies are setting traps because they want to kill me.

"For in You, Hashem, I place my hope"
My hope rests entirely in You, Hashem. That is why I do not answer my enemies.

"When my foot slips, they make much of themselves against me"
If I stumble or fall, they will celebrate and boast over my suffering.

"For I am ready to stumble"
My pain has become so great that I can barely stand or walk.

"But my enemies are vigorous and strong"
While I suffer, my enemies seem to grow stronger and more successful.

3 Insightful Commentaries on Psalm 38

1. Rashi: A Prayer for All of Israel

Rashi explains the opening words,

"A psalm of David, to bring to remembrance,"

as a prayer to be recited in times of distress. David composed it on behalf of the entire Jewish people, asking Hashem to remember Israel's suffering and bring salvation.

2. Radak: A Prayer for Anyone Who Is Broken

Radak offers two explanations for the phrase "to bring to remembrance." It may refer to a musical instruction, or it may mean that the psalm was written to be remembered and used by others.

According to Radak, David composed this prayer so that anyone weighed down by illness, suffering, or emotional pain could use its words to turn to Hashem. The psalm serves as a source of comfort and hope for every brokenhearted person.

3. Malbim: Illness That Led to Repentance

Malbim explains that David composed this psalm after recovering from a life threatening illness that followed the episode of Bathsheba. David understood his suffering as a call to remember his sins and return to Hashem through sincere repentance.

At the same time, his enemies rejoiced over his hardship and sought to take advantage of his weakness. The psalm therefore combines confession, repentance, and unwavering trust that Hashem alone can bring healing and salvation.

Conclusion

Psalm 38 gives voice to anyone carrying physical pain, emotional suffering, or the burden of past mistakes. King David teaches that even in life's darkest moments, the path forward begins with honest prayer, sincere repentance, and complete trust in Hashem. The psalm ends not in despair, but with hope, reminding us that Hashem hears every heartfelt cry and remains our ultimate source of salvation.