A psalm of David. A petition.<\/b> <\/p>\n
1<\/sup> LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger 5<\/sup> My wounds fester and are loathsome 9<\/sup> All my longings lie open before you, Lord; 13<\/sup> I am like the deaf, who cannot hear, 17<\/sup> For I am about to fall, 21<\/sup> LORD, do not forsake me; Ever spend extended time in serious pain?<\/em><\/p>\n It can be debilitating.<\/em><\/p>\n Sometimes your breathing is so shallow that you get <\/em><\/p>\n lightheaded. Pain can eat away at your spirit-<\/em><\/p>\n it can escort you right into the threshold of <\/em><\/p>\n depression. And you find yourself looking for<\/em><\/p>\n distractions and\/or purposes.<\/em><\/p>\n Why<\/strong> am I in this place of torture?<\/em><\/p>\n What <\/strong>can I do to lessen this misery?<\/em><\/p>\n Where<\/strong> can I find some release\/relief?<\/em><\/p>\n You feel isolated and alone. Your sense of<\/em><\/p>\n yourself is diminished and you feel like<\/em> you<\/p>\n are being punished.<\/em><\/p>\n It can get pretty bad.<\/em><\/p>\n This psalm has that kind of logic- pain logic- in it.<\/em><\/p>\n Not that David hadn\u2019t sinned.<\/em><\/p>\n Not that he didn\u2019t deserve the guilt and sorrow<\/em><\/p>\n that he is describing.<\/em><\/p>\n It is just that WHEN<\/strong> you are in pain- the whole <\/em><\/p>\n world of creation and the Creator seem to be <\/em><\/p>\n in collusion against you.<\/em><\/p>\n You become a suffering diva.<\/em><\/p>\n This is MY pain. My sorrow. My sin.<\/em><\/p>\n My back (OH, MY BACK!).<\/em><\/p>\n You call out for help.<\/em><\/p>\n for mercy.<\/em><\/p>\n You confess.<\/em><\/p>\n You look at those around you like they don\u2019t<\/em><\/p>\n know or care, they can quickly become your<\/em><\/p>\n enemies.<\/em><\/p>\n I\u2019m so thankful that Jesus Christ knew pain and death.<\/em><\/p>\n He can understand this perspective even though He<\/em><\/p>\n did not give in to it. <\/em><\/p>\n The last two verses are the best in the psalm.<\/em><\/p>\n They redeem the entire litany of pain that comes before them.<\/em><\/p>\n 21<\/sup> LORD, do not forsake me; AMEN.<\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Psalm 38 A psalm of David. A petition. 1 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 … Continue reading
or discipline me in your wrath.
2<\/sup> Your arrows have pierced me,
and your hand has come down on me.
3<\/sup> Because of your wrath there is no health in my body;
there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin.
4<\/sup> My guilt has overwhelmed me
like a burden too heavy to bear. <\/p>\n
because of my sinful folly.
6<\/sup> I am bowed down and brought very low;
all day long I go about mourning.
7<\/sup> My back is filled with searing pain;
there is no health in my body.
8<\/sup> I am feeble and utterly crushed;
I groan in anguish of heart. <\/p>\n
my sighing is not hidden from you.
10<\/sup> My heart pounds, my strength fails me;
even the light has gone from my eyes.
11<\/sup> My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds;
my neighbors stay far away.
12<\/sup> 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. <\/p>\n
like the mute, who cannot speak;
14<\/sup> I have become like one who does not hear,
whose mouth can offer no reply.
15<\/sup> LORD, I wait for you;
you will answer, Lord my God.
16<\/sup> For I said, \u201cDo not let them gloat
or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.\u201d <\/p>\n
and my pain is ever with me.
18<\/sup> I confess my iniquity;
I am troubled by my sin.
19<\/sup> Many have become my enemies without cause;
those who hate me without reason are numerous.
20<\/sup> Those who repay my good with evil
lodge accusations against me,
though I seek only to do what is good. <\/p>\n
do not be far from me, my God.
22<\/sup> Come quickly to help me,
my Lord and my Savior. <\/p>\n
do not be far from me, my God.
22<\/sup> Come quickly to help me,
my Lord and my Savior.<\/p>\n