{"id":3921,"date":"2022-12-09T19:55:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-09T19:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thomascreedy.co.uk\/?p=3921"},"modified":"2022-12-09T19:55:00","modified_gmt":"2022-12-09T19:55:00","slug":"a-psalm-a-day-psalm-38","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thomascreedy.co.uk\/a-psalm-a-day-psalm-38\/","title":{"rendered":"A Psalm a Day: Psalm 38"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"post-3913 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-personal category-prayer category-psalms category-reading category-the-bible\">\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>Throughout September 2022, I managed to read and reflect \u2013 briefly \u2013 on a Psalm each day. For December 2022, I\u2019m going to pick up the discipline. I\u2019ll read the Psalm, pray, and then ponder a few questions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What is this Psalm about?<\/li>\n<li>What does this Psalm teach about God?<\/li>\n<li>How does this Psalm connect to God\u2019s people today?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>I\u2019ll close the post with a simple prayer, trying to draw the themes together.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-3924\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thomascreedy.co.uk\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/a-psalm-a-day-36-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"psalm 38\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thomascreedy.co.uk\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/a-psalm-a-day-36-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.thomascreedy.co.uk\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/a-psalm-a-day-36-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.thomascreedy.co.uk\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/a-psalm-a-day-36-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.thomascreedy.co.uk\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/a-psalm-a-day-36-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.thomascreedy.co.uk\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/a-psalm-a-day-36-730x730.png 730w, https:\/\/www.thomascreedy.co.uk\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/a-psalm-a-day-36-365x365.png 365w, https:\/\/www.thomascreedy.co.uk\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/a-psalm-a-day-36.png 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>On the ninth of December, here\u2019s Psalm 38:<\/p>\n<div class=\"std-text\">\n<div class=\"poetry top-05\">\n<div class=\"poetry\">\n<div class=\"poetry\">\n<p class=\"line\"><span class=\"text Ps-38-1\"><sup class=\"versenum\">1\u00a0<\/sup><span class=\"small-caps\">Lord<\/span>, do not rebuke me in your anger<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"indent-1\"><span class=\"indent-1-breaks\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"text Ps-38-1\">or discipline me in your wrath.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span id=\"en-NIV-14493\" class=\"text Ps-38-2\"><sup class=\"versenum\">2\u00a0<\/sup>Your arrows\u00a0have pierced me,<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"indent-1\"><span class=\"indent-1-breaks\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"text Ps-38-2\">and your hand has come down on me.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span id=\"en-NIV-14494\" class=\"text Ps-38-3\"><sup class=\"versenum\">3\u00a0<\/sup>Because of your wrath there is no health\u00a0in my body;<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"indent-1\"><span class=\"indent-1-breaks\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"text Ps-38-3\">there is no soundness in my bones\u00a0because of my sin.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span id=\"en-NIV-14495\" class=\"text Ps-38-4\"><sup class=\"versenum\">4\u00a0<\/sup>My guilt has overwhelmed\u00a0me<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"indent-1\"><span class=\"indent-1-breaks\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"text Ps-38-4\">like a burden too heavy to bear.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"poetry top-05\">\n<p class=\"line\"><span id=\"en-NIV-14496\" class=\"text Ps-38-5\"><sup class=\"versenum\">5\u00a0<\/sup>My wounds\u00a0fester and are loathsome<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"indent-1\"><span class=\"indent-1-breaks\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"text Ps-38-5\">because of my sinful folly.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span id=\"en-NIV-14497\" class=\"text Ps-38-6\"><sup class=\"versenum\">6\u00a0<\/sup>I am bowed down\u00a0and brought very low;<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"indent-1\"><span class=\"indent-1-breaks\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"text Ps-38-6\">all day long I go about mourning.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span id=\"en-NIV-14498\" class=\"text Ps-38-7\"><sup class=\"versenum\">7\u00a0<\/sup>My back is filled with searing pain;<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"indent-1\"><span class=\"indent-1-breaks\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"text Ps-38-7\">there is no health\u00a0in my body.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span id=\"en-NIV-14499\" class=\"text Ps-38-8\"><sup class=\"versenum\">8\u00a0<\/sup>I am feeble and utterly crushed;<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"indent-1\"><span class=\"indent-1-breaks\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"text Ps-38-8\">I groan\u00a0in anguish of heart.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"poetry top-05\">\n<p class=\"line\"><span id=\"en-NIV-14500\" class=\"text Ps-38-9\"><sup class=\"versenum\">9\u00a0<\/sup>All my longings\u00a0lie open before you, Lord;<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"indent-1\"><span class=\"indent-1-breaks\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"text Ps-38-9\">my sighing\u00a0is not hidden from you.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span id=\"en-NIV-14501\" class=\"text Ps-38-10\"><sup class=\"versenum\">10\u00a0<\/sup>My heart pounds,\u00a0my strength fails\u00a0me;<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"indent-1\"><span class=\"indent-1-breaks\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"text Ps-38-10\">even the light has gone from my eyes.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span id=\"en-NIV-14502\" class=\"text Ps-38-11\"><sup class=\"versenum\">11\u00a0<\/sup>My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds;<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"indent-1\"><span class=\"indent-1-breaks\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"text Ps-38-11\">my neighbors stay far away.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span id=\"en-NIV-14503\" class=\"text Ps-38-12\"><sup class=\"versenum\">12\u00a0<\/sup>Those who want to kill me set their traps,<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"indent-1\"><span class=\"indent-1-breaks\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"text Ps-38-12\">those who would harm me talk of my ruin;<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"indent-1\"><span class=\"indent-1-breaks\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"text Ps-38-12\">all day long they scheme and lie.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"poetry top-05\">\n<p class=\"line\"><span id=\"en-NIV-14504\" class=\"text Ps-38-13\"><sup class=\"versenum\">13\u00a0<\/sup>I am like the deaf, who cannot hear,<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"indent-1\"><span class=\"indent-1-breaks\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"text Ps-38-13\">like the mute, who cannot speak;<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span id=\"en-NIV-14505\" class=\"text Ps-38-14\"><sup class=\"versenum\">14\u00a0<\/sup>I have become like one who does not hear,<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"indent-1\"><span class=\"indent-1-breaks\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"text Ps-38-14\">whose mouth can offer no reply.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span id=\"en-NIV-14506\" class=\"text Ps-38-15\"><sup class=\"versenum\">15\u00a0<\/sup><span class=\"small-caps\">Lord<\/span>, I wait\u00a0for you;<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"indent-1\"><span class=\"indent-1-breaks\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"text Ps-38-15\">you will answer,\u00a0Lord my God.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span id=\"en-NIV-14507\" class=\"text Ps-38-16\"><sup class=\"versenum\">16\u00a0<\/sup>For I said, \u201cDo not let them gloat<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"indent-1\"><span class=\"indent-1-breaks\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"text Ps-38-16\">or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"poetry top-05\">\n<p class=\"line\"><span id=\"en-NIV-14508\" class=\"text Ps-38-17\"><sup class=\"versenum\">17\u00a0<\/sup>For I am about to fall,<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"indent-1\"><span class=\"indent-1-breaks\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"text Ps-38-17\">and my pain\u00a0is ever with me.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span id=\"en-NIV-14509\" class=\"text Ps-38-18\"><sup class=\"versenum\">18\u00a0<\/sup>I confess my iniquity;<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"indent-1\"><span class=\"indent-1-breaks\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"text Ps-38-18\">I am troubled by my sin.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span id=\"en-NIV-14510\" class=\"text Ps-38-19\"><sup class=\"versenum\">19\u00a0<\/sup>Many have become my enemies\u00a0without cause;<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"indent-1\"><span class=\"indent-1-breaks\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"text Ps-38-19\">those who hate me\u00a0without reason\u00a0are numerous.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span id=\"en-NIV-14511\" class=\"text Ps-38-20\"><sup class=\"versenum\">20\u00a0<\/sup>Those who repay my good with evil<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"indent-1\"><span class=\"indent-1-breaks\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"text Ps-38-20\">lodge accusations\u00a0against me,<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"indent-1\"><span class=\"indent-1-breaks\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"text Ps-38-20\">though I seek only to do what is good.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"poetry top-05\">\n<p class=\"line\"><span id=\"en-NIV-14512\" class=\"text Ps-38-21\"><sup class=\"versenum\">21\u00a0<\/sup><span class=\"small-caps\">Lord<\/span>, do not forsake me;<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"indent-1\"><span class=\"indent-1-breaks\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"text Ps-38-21\">do not be far\u00a0from me, my God.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span id=\"en-NIV-14513\" class=\"text Ps-38-22\"><sup class=\"versenum\">22\u00a0<\/sup>Come quickly\u00a0to help me,<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"indent-1\"><span class=\"indent-1-breaks\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"text Ps-38-22\">my Lord and my Saviour.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"poetry top-05\">\n<div class=\"footnotes\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>What is this Psalm about?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>This Psalm is a petition from David to God for help. Most of it (pretty much the first 20 verses of a 22 verse Psalm!) is a litany of things that David is wrestling with, that are assailing him. There are internal &#8216;feelings&#8217;, like guilt (v4), internal pains, as in verse 7, obvious physical issues like wounds (v5), and external circumstances that threaten (v12, 19, 20, non-exhaustively). This is a Psalm which powerfully speaks to all forms of human pain &#8211; including relational pain. I actually listened to this Psalm today whilst in bed with a migraine, in quite a lot of pain, feeling &#8216;feeble and utterly crushed&#8217;, and feeling very appreciative that this Psalm is in the Bible. This Psalm shows us that God cares for us regardless of what assails us &#8211; and, with the glimmers of hope in this Psalm, can do something about it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What does this Psalm teach us about God?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The God of Psalm 38 might seem absent &#8211; but even in God&#8217;s absence we can see His hands. David might have been near death &#8211; but he didn&#8217;t die. Psalm 38 shows us a God who literally frames our experiences &#8211; note that &#8216;The Lord&#8217; is pretty much the first and last thought here. Verse 2 is also a challenge &#8211; David clearly believes and the Bible clearly teaches that some (all?) forms of suffering are in some way the result of God&#8217;s action (or arrows) and wrath. God, then, is a powerful God. God is also a relational, intimate God &#8211; David calls out to God, and the Psalm ends on a note of trust. Sometimes truth is complex and uncomfortable &#8211; but God is God and so we wrestle.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How does this Psalm connect to God\u2019s people today?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Simply put, whatever you are going through, or I am experiencing, it has a referent here. Whatever you believe about it and God&#8217;s actions, there is the invitation to cry out to God. As someone who has a high view of God&#8217;s sovereignty, I think only the God who hurls the arrows has the strength to heal their wounds &#8211; and so it is in that knowledge that I can cry out to Him. Psalm 38 is an uncomfortable Psalm &#8211; not least in it&#8217;s description of David&#8217;s various pain, but also in it&#8217;s hints about God &#8211; but it is a vital Psalm in a world where pain exists, and yet a world where one day it won&#8217;t, because of the action of God.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A prayer drawn from Psalm 38:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Today, I draw the prayer from some of the words of the Psalm, and suggest you augment it with whatever you need to bring before the Lord.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"text Ps-38-1\"><span class=\"small-caps\">Lord<\/span>, do not rebuke me in your anger <\/span><span class=\"indent-1\"><span class=\"text Ps-38-1\">or discipline me in your wrath. <span id=\"en-NIV-14506\" class=\"text Ps-38-15\">I wait for you;<\/span><span class=\"indent-1-breaks\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"text Ps-38-15\">you will answer, Lord my God. <span id=\"en-NIV-14512\" class=\"text Ps-38-21\"><span class=\"small-caps\">Lord<\/span>, do not forsake me; <\/span><span class=\"text Ps-38-21\">do not be far from me, my God. <\/span><span id=\"en-NIV-14513\" class=\"text Ps-38-22\">Come quickly to help me, <\/span><span class=\"text Ps-38-22\">my Lord and my Saviour.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<footer class=\"single-footer\">\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<section id=\"respond\">\n<div id=\"respond\" class=\"comment-respond\"><\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Throughout September 2022, I managed to read and reflect \u2013 briefly \u2013 on a Psalm each day. For December 2022, I\u2019m going to pick up the discipline. I\u2019ll read the Psalm, pray, and then ponder a few questions: What is &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomascreedy.co.uk\/a-psalm-a-day-psalm-38\/\">Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3924,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"kt_blocks_editor_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[554,223,288,606,49],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thomascreedy.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3921"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thomascreedy.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thomascreedy.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thomascreedy.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thomascreedy.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3921"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.thomascreedy.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3921\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3925,"href":"https:\/\/www.thomascreedy.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3921\/revisions\/3925"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thomascreedy.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3924"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thomascreedy.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3921"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thomascreedy.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3921"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thomascreedy.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3921"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}