Psalms 38
CBNotesPsalms 38:1
Title. A Psalm = Mizmor. See App-65.
of David = by David.
to bring to remembrance. Used on the Day of Atonement.
This group of four Psalms closes the first book, and is similar in character to the four that end the second book.
Compare Psalms 38 Title (Psalms 38:1) with Psalms 70 Title (Psalms 70:1).
Compare Psalms 38:4, Psalms 38:11, Psalms 38:22 with Psalms 69:1, Psalms 69:2, Psalms 69:8, Psalms 69:13.
Compare Psalms 40:2, Psalms 40:3, Psalms 40:6, Psalms 40:13-17, with Psalms 69:14, Psalms 69:30, Psalms 69:31.
Compare Psalms 41:1 with Psalms 72:13.
Compare Psalms 41:2, Psalms 41:3, Psalms 41:7, Psalms 41:8, with Psalms 71:10, Psalms 71:13, Psalms 71:18.
Compare Psalms 41:7, Psalms 41:8, with Psalms 71:10-11.
Compare Psalms 41:13 with Psalms 72:18, Psalms 72:19.
LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.
Psalms 38:2
arrows . . . hand. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6.
Psalms 38:3
sin. Hebrew. chata’. App-44.
Psalms 38:4
iniquities. Hebrew. ’aven. App-44.
over mine head. The reference is to the burdens of porters and carriers, which often mount up and project over the head.
Psalms 38:7
loathsome = burning.
Psalms 38:8
by reason of the disquietness of my heart. Ginsburg suggests lavi’ instead of lavi = “beyond the roaring of a lion”.
Psalms 38:9
LORD *. Primitive text was Jehovah. One of the 134 emendations of the Sopherim. App-32.
Psalms 38:10
strength. Strength to endure = vital strength. Hebrew. koh.
Psalms 38:11
sore = stroke. Used of a leprous stroke.
kinsmen = neighbours.
Psalms 38:12
life = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-9.
lay snares. Some commentators make two lines in this verse; but the Hebrew accents make three: the first = the act, the second = the speech, the third = the motive.
Psalms 38:14
man. Hebrew. ’Ish. App-14.
Psalms 38:15
hear = answer.
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.
Psalms 38:17
halt. Compare Psalms 35:15 and Genesis 32:31.
Psalms 38:18
sin. Hebrew. chata’. App-44.
Psalms 38:20
evil. Hebrew. ra’a’. App-44.
To the chief Musician. See App-64.
even to Jeduthun. See App-65.