Psalms 38:1-22 - Exposition

The psalm is ascribed to David by the title, but is not generally allowed to be his. It is assigned commonly to an unknown sufferer. Still, some modern critics, notably Canon Cook, in the 'Speaker's Commentary,' accept the statement of the title, and find the psalm very suitable to the circumstances of David "at the period just preceding the revolt of Absalom." Canon Cook holds that "at that time there are indications that David was prostrate by disease, which gave full scope to the machinations of his son and his abettors." If this were so, the Davidical authorship would certainly he probable; but the absence of any mention of such an illness from the Second Book of Samuel is a difficulty which cannot easily be got over.

The psalm falls into three divisions: From Psalms 38:1 to Psalms 38:8 ; from Psalms 38:9 to Psalms 38:14 ; and from Psalms 38:15 to the end. Each part begins with an appeal to God, whereon follows a description of the writer's sufferings. Part ill both begins and ends with an appeal to God.