1.
O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
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 .
2.
For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.
arrows . . . hand. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .
3.
There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.
sin. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .
4.
For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
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.
5.
My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.
6.
I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.
7.
For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh.
loathsome = burning.
8.
I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.
by reason of the disquietness of my heart. Ginsburg suggests lavi' instead of lavi = "beyond the roaring of a lion".
9.
Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.
LORD *. Primitive text was Jehovah. One of the 134 emendations of the Sopherim. App-32 .
10.
My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.
strength. Strength to endure = vital strength. Hebrew. koh.
11.
My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.
sore = stroke. Used of a leprous stroke.
kinsmen = neighbours.
12.
They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.
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.
13.
But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.
14.
Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs.
man. Hebrew. 'Ish . App-14 .
15.
For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.
hear = answer.
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
16.
For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.
17.
For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me.
halt. Compare Psalms 35:15 and Genesis 32:31 .
18.
For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.
sin. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .
19.
But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
20.
They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.
evil. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .
To the chief Musician. See App-64 .
even to Jeduthun. See App-65 .
21.
Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.
22.
Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.