Sharper Iron — Spring into the Psalms – Psalm 38: Healing from God’s Arrows

https://kfuo-od.streamguys1.com/recast/sharper-iron/20260506103252-2026-05-06_SI.mp3
Download Audio File

David feels the consequences God has brought upon him for his sin, and so he turns to God as the only Source of rescue from such consequences. The effects of sin are both spiritual and physical, and the LORD knows them already. Prayer cries out to Him in trust that He alone can help, even when friends and foes alike provide no refuge. On the LORD alone we wait, asking Him to be near quickly for our salvation. He keeps this promise through our Savior, Jesus.

Rev. Jeremiah Johnson, pastor at Glory of Christ Lutheran Church in Plymouth, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 38.

To learn more about Glory of Christ, visit gloryofchrist.org.

Join Sharper Iron this spring to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund. Together in faith, LCEF helps to start, sustain and strengthen LCMS ministries through financial and strategic partnerships. Visit lcef.org.

Psalm 38

Do Not Forsake Me, O LORD

A Psalm of David, for the memorial offering.

[1] O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger,

nor discipline me in your wrath!

[2] For your arrows have sunk into me,

and your hand has come down on me.

[3] There is no soundness in my flesh

because of your indignation;

there is no health in my bones

because of my sin.

[4] For my iniquities have gone over my head;

like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.

[5] My wounds stink and fester

because of my foolishness,

[6] I am utterly bowed down and prostrate;

all the day I go about mourning.

[7] For my sides are filled with burning,

and there is no soundness in my flesh.

[8] I am feeble and crushed;

I groan because of the tumult of my heart.

[9] O Lord, all my longing is before you;

my sighing is not hidden from you.

[10] My heart throbs; my strength fails me,

and the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me.

[11] My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague,

and my nearest kin stand far off.

[12] Those who seek my life lay their snares;

those who seek my hurt speak of ruin

and meditate treachery all day long.

[13] But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear,

like a mute man who does not open his mouth.

[14] I have become like a man who does not hear,

and in whose mouth are no rebukes.

[15] But for you, O LORD, do I wait;

it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.

[16] For I said, “Only let them not rejoice over me,

who boast against me when my foot slips!”

[17] For I am ready to fall,

and my pain is ever before me.

[18] I confess my iniquity;

I am sorry for my sin.

[19] But my foes are vigorous, they are mighty,

and many are those who hate me wrongfully.

[20] Those who render me evil for good

accuse me because I follow after good.

[21] Do not forsake me, O LORD!

O my God, be not far from me!

[22] Make haste to help me,

O Lord, my salvation!

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language. Used by permission. All rights reserved.