Psalm 38

38:1
A psalm of David, written to get God’s attention. O Lord, do not continue
to rebuke me in your anger. Do not continue to punish me in your raging
fury.
2
For your arrows pierce me, and your hand presses me down.
3
My whole body is sick because of your judgment; I am deprived of health
because of my sin.
4
For my sins overwhelm me; like a heavy load, they are too much for me to
bear.
5
My wounds are infected and starting to smell, because of my foolish sins.
6
I am dazed and completely humiliated; all day long I walk around mourning.
7
For I am overcome with shame, and my whole body is sick.
8
I am numb with pain and severely battered; I groan loudly because of the
anxiety I feel.
9
O Lord, you understand my heart’s desire; my groaning is not hidden from
you.
10
My heart beats quickly; my strength leaves me.I can hardly see.
11
Because of my condition, even my friends and acquaintances keep their
distance; my neighbours stand far away.
12
Those who seek my life try to entrap me; those who want to harm me speak
destructive words. All day long they say deceitful things.
13
But I am like a deaf man—I hear nothing; I am like a mute who cannot speak.
14
I am like a man who cannot hear and is incapable of arguing his defence.
15
Yet I wait for you, O Lord! You will respond, O Lord, my God!
16
I have prayed for deliverance, because otherwise they will gloat over me;
when my foot slips they will arrogantly taunt me.
17
For I am about to stumble, and I am in constant pain.
18
Yes, I confess my wrong doing, and I am concerned about my sins.
19
But those who are my enemies for no reason are numerous; those who hate me
without cause outnumber me.
20
They repay me evil for the good I have done; though I have tried to do good
to them, they hurl accusations at me.
21
Do not abandon me, O Lord. My God, do not remain far away from me.
22
Hurry and help me, O Lord, my deliverer.

One thought:

Sins have consequences vertically (relationally with God) and horizontally (with other humans).

Three questions:

What are some of the consequences of sin the Psalmist speaks of?

Have you ever felt like the Psalmist?

Reflect on this quote from John Owen “Do you mortify; do you make it your daily work; be always at it whilst you live; cease not a day from this work; be killing sin or it will be killing you.”

Prayer:

Praise God that He is absolutely good and there is no evil in Him. Give thanks that through Jesus Christ we can escape the ultimate consequences of sin and are now able to resist temptation. Ask God to help you + someone else flee sin.

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