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This psalm of David is a prayer for the LORD’s mercy and help. David was in grave trouble. His troubles were the result of his own sins. David felt the LORD’s anger and discipline upon his physical, mental, and emotional health as well as his relationships with other people. He confessed that his pain and physical sufferings (3, 7, 10) were God’s wrath on him because of his sin (3, 5, 18). He felt crushed. His heart was anguished. His sin had resulted in inner darkness (10).
David’s relationships had also suffered because of his sin. Friends and companions avoided him. Neighbors kept their distance. His enemies took advantage of his sin and even laid traps to kill him. They gossiped and lied about him. David’s own sin was the cause of his desperate situation.
This Psalm also shows us the only solution available for sin. David came to God in prayer in humble repentance. He confessed his iniquity (18). Though his sin had driven him away from God, David prayed that God would not forsake him but come quickly to help.
We, too, can turn to God in repentance for our sin. Jesus, our Lord and Savior, offers forgiveness and restoration. Come to Jesus. He will surely answer.
May 12, 2026
TURN TO THE LORD IN REPENTANCE
Passage: bible.psalm 38:1-22
Key verse: 21-22
NIV
chapter 38
1. [A psalm of David. A petition.] Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.
2. Your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down on me.
3. Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin.
4. My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.
5. My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly.
6. I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning.
7. My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body.
8. I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart.
9. All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.
10. My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes.
11. My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away.
12. Those who want to kill me set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they scheme and lie.
13. I am like the deaf, who cannot hear, like the mute, who cannot speak;
14. I have become like one who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply.
15. Lord, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God.
16. For I said, "Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip."
17. For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me.
18. I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.
19. Many have become my enemies without cause; those who hate me without reason are numerous.
20. Those who repay my good with evil lodge accusations against me, though I seek only to do what is good.
21. Lord, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God.
22. Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Prayer: Lord, I am troubled by my sin and confess it to you. Please come quickly to help me, my Savior.
One Word: Help me, Lord Jesus!