Joel M Bradshaw

As we read Psalm 38, let’s pray a prayer of repentance like David did. The Scripture will be in italics and my words will be in bold.

1O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger,
nor discipline me in your wrath!
2For your arrows have sunk into me,
and your hand has come down on me.

3There is no soundness in my flesh
because of your indignation;
there is no health in my bones
because of my sin.
4For my iniquities have gone over my head;
like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.

5My wounds stink and fester
because of my foolishness,
6I am utterly bowed down and prostrate;
all the day I go about mourning.
7For my sides are filled with burning,
and there is no soundness in my flesh.
8I am feeble and crushed;
I groan because of the tumult of my heart.

Dear God, I know that I have sinned against others and against You. I know I sometimes have to face the consequence of my selfish decisions. But all this feels too much for me and I am struggling. I am calling out to You, God, for help even now.

9O Lord, all my longing is before you;
my sighing is not hidden from you.
10My heart throbs; my strength fails me,
and the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me.
11My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague,
and my nearest kin stand far off.

12Those who seek my life lay their snares;
those who seek my hurt speak of ruin
and meditate treachery all day long.

Even though my selfishness is my own worst enemy, I do have other people also working against me. But I know that You hear my prayers, God. You care for me and want what is best for me. Others may have abandoned me, but You will not.

13But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear,
like a mute man who does not open his mouth.
14I have become like a man who does not hear,
and in whose mouth are no rebukes.

15But for you, O LORD, do I wait;
it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.
16For I said, “Only let them not rejoice over me,
who boast against me when my foot slips!”

I feel like a broken mess, God. I have no other hope for forgiveness except You. I depend upon Your care for me. You alone are my hope. Please protect me during this time of pain and struggle!

17For I am ready to fall,
and my pain is ever before me.
18I confess my iniquity;
I am sorry for my sin.
19But my foes are vigorous, they are mighty,
and many are those who hate me wrongfully.
20Those who render me evil for good
accuse me because I follow after good.

21Do not forsake me, O LORD!
O my God, be not far from me!
22Make haste to help me,
O Lord, my salvation!

All I can do God is confess my sin to you and depend upon you for forgiveness. And therefore I trust in Jesus for my salvation. David’s hope was realized fully in the one called the Son of David. On the cross he bore my sin and my shame. I am forgiven because Jesus paid the debt my sin raised against me. Thank you God for saving me. You are bringing me through this dark valley and teaching me to depend upon You. I am grateful for this season of my life, because it has taught me to trust in You You alone are my hope. Even though life right now is difficult, I know that you are always faithful! I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Thank you for praying this psalm with me. Maybe you identified with David’s struggle. Our only hope is in Jesus.–JMB