Psalms 38:15

KJV

For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.

KJV (with Strong's)

For in thee, O LORD {H3068}, do I hope {H3176}: thou wilt hear {H6030}{H8799)}, O Lord {H136} my God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For it is in you, ADONAI, that I hope. You will answer, Adonai my God.

Berean Standard Bible

I wait for You, O LORD; You will answer, O Lord my God.

American Standard Version

For in thee, O Jehovah, do I hope: Thou wilt answer, O Lord my God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 38:15 stands as a profound declaration of unwavering hope and trust in God, voiced from the depths of intense physical and spiritual suffering. Amidst a penitential lament detailing grievous afflictions and the abandonment by others, David pivots to a confident assertion that the Lord is his sole expectation and will assuredly hear his cry. This verse serves as a powerful testament to the steadfastness of faith even when all earthly support fails, highlighting the intimate and responsive nature of the divine-human relationship and the ultimate refuge found in God alone.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 38 is a poignant example of a penitential psalm, one of seven such psalms (alongside [Psalms 6](/psalms/6 "Psalms 6 - A Prayer of Lament in Distress"), [Psalms 32](/psalms/32 "Psalms 32 - The Joy of Forgiveness"), [Psalms 51](/psalms/51 "Psalms 51 - A Prayer of Repentance"), [Psalms 102](/psalms/102 "Psalms 102 - A Prayer of an Afflicted Man"), [Psalms 130](/psalms/130 "Psalms 130 - Out of the Depths"), and [Psalms 143](/psalms/143 "Psalms 143 - A Prayer for Deliverance")). These psalms are characterized by deep confession of sin, profound lament over suffering that is often linked to sin, and fervent petition for divine mercy and restoration. The preceding verses of Psalms 38 ([Psalms 38:1-14](/psalms/38-1-14 "Psalms 38:1-14 - David's Anguish and Confession")) vividly portray David's distress, describing his physical illness as a consequence of his iniquity, the abandonment by friends and family, and the taunts of his enemies. He feels overwhelmed by God's wrath and the crushing weight of his own transgressions. Verse 15 marks a crucial and powerful turning point within this dark narrative. It is a sudden, resolute shift from a detailed description of agony and isolation to an explicit declaration of faith and confident expectation in the Lord. This pivot underscores the transformative power of hope, even when circumstances seem utterly bleak, revealing that David's ultimate recourse is not in human remedies or self-pity, but in the sovereign, covenant-keeping God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** As a psalm attributed to David, a king and warrior, Psalms 38 reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of suffering, sin, and divine justice, particularly within Israelite theology. In the worldview of ancient Israel, illness and misfortune were frequently perceived, though not exclusively, as direct consequences of sin or divine displeasure (a concept explored and nuanced in the [Book of Job](/job/1 "The Book of Job - Suffering and Faith")). David's lament, therefore, is not merely a complaint but a deeply personal confession and a fervent plea for restoration and healing, both spiritual and physical. The cultural expectation for a king was often one of strength, prosperity, and divine favor, yet David here presents himself in a state of profound vulnerability, highlighting the universal human experience of suffering and the pervasive need for divine intervention, irrespective of social status. His appeal to "O LORD" (YHWH, God's covenant name) and "O Lord my God" (Adonai Elohai) reflects the deeply personal and covenantal relationship central to Israelite faith, where God was understood as actively involved in the lives of His people, particularly in hearing their cries for help. The act of "hoping" and expecting God to "hear" was a fundamental aspect of prayer and worship in ancient Israel, rooted in the belief in a personal and responsive deity who fulfills His promises.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several profound themes central to the book of Psalms and broader biblical theology. First, it powerfully expresses **Unwavering Hope in God** amidst despair. Despite overwhelming physical and emotional pain, David's hope is rooted not in his circumstances or human aid, but exclusively "in thee, O LORD," demonstrating a faith that transcends immediate suffering. This echoes the broader biblical call to trust in God's steadfast love and faithfulness, even when the path is unclear, as seen in the psalmist's declaration: "[I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope](/psalms/130-5 "Psalms 130:5 - I wait for the LORD, my soul waits")". Second, the verse highlights **Divine Responsiveness to Prayer**. David's confident assertion, "thou wilt hear, O Lord my God," reflects a deep conviction that God is not distant but intimately attentive and responsive to the cries of His people. This theme is foundational to the practice of prayer throughout Scripture, affirming that God inclines His ear to the righteous, as in the assurance that "[The righteous cry, and the LORD hears](/psalms/34-17 "Psalms 34:17 - The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them")". Finally, the repeated use of personal address ("O LORD," "O Lord my God") underscores the **Intimate and Personal Relationship with God** that David cherishes. He approaches God not as an abstract concept but as his personal Sovereign, Deliverer, and confidant, a relationship that is both covenantal and deeply relational, exemplified throughout the Old Testament in God's declaration to be "their God" in the [covenant with Israel](/exodus/6-7 "Exodus 6:7 - God's Covenant Promise to Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hope (Hebrew, _yâchal'_):** The Hebrew verb יָחַל (_yâchal_) used here for "hope" (H3176) signifies more than a passive wish; it conveys an active, enduring expectation, a patient waiting, and a confident looking forward. It implies steadfastness and a willingness to tarry or stay, trusting in God's perfect timing and intervention, often in the face of deep adversity. This "hope" is not a fragile optimism rooted in favorable circumstances, but a robust, anchored trust in God's character and promises. It is a theological virtue, a deliberate posture of reliance on the divine.
* **Hear (Hebrew, _ʻânâh'_):** The verb עָנָה (_ʻânâh_) (H6030) means more than merely to perceive sound. In a theological context, especially when referring to God, it signifies to answer, respond, act, or attend to with effective intervention. When David declares, "thou wilt hear," he is not simply hoping God will physically perceive his prayers, but that God will actively respond and intervene on his behalf, bringing about deliverance, relief, or restoration. It implies a divine engagement that leads to tangible outcomes, fulfilling the purpose of the petition and demonstrating God's attentiveness and faithfulness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For in thee, O LORD, do I hope":** This opening clause immediately establishes the exclusive foundation of David's trust. The prepositional phrase "in thee" (בְּךָ, _bekha_) emphasizes that the object of his hope is singular and divine – not in human strength, medical remedies, or political alliances, but solely in the person of the covenant God, YHWH (H3068). The use of "O LORD" (Yᵉhôvâh) highlights God's covenant faithfulness and His eternal, self-existent nature. David's hope is an active, enduring expectation, a steadfast waiting for God's intervention, despite the overwhelming circumstances detailed in the preceding verses. It is a profound declaration of absolute reliance and confidence in God's unwavering character and omnipotent power.
* **"thou wilt hear":** This is a confident assertion, not a tentative wish. The future tense "wilt hear" (תַעֲנֶה, _ta'aneh_) expresses David's certainty that God will not only perceive his cry but will also respond and act decisively on his behalf. This reflects a deep theological conviction that God is not deaf or indifferent to the pleas of His suffering children. It implies divine attentiveness, profound compassion, and a sovereign willingness to intervene, transforming the lament into a powerful declaration of faith in God's responsiveness and active care.
* **"O Lord my God":** This double address (אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהָי, _ʼĂdônây ʼĕlôhîym_) reinforces the intensely personal and intimate nature of David's relationship with God. "Adonai" (H136) emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty, mastery, and authority, while "Elohai" (my God, H430) underscores the personal possession and covenant relationship. It is a cry from a servant to his Master, from a child to his Father, from a believer to his personal Deity who is both mighty in power and intimately involved in his life. This deeply personal address strengthens both the plea and the confident expectation of a divine response, rooted in a relationship of covenant faithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 38:15 employs several powerful literary devices that amplify its theological impact. The most prominent is **Apostrophe**, where David directly addresses God ("O LORD," "O Lord my God"), creating an intimate and personal tone that draws the reader into his direct communion with the divine. This direct address emphasizes the relational aspect of his faith and the immediacy of his plea. There is also a strong element of **Confession of Trust** or **Affirmation of Faith**, which serves as a pivotal turning point in the psalm. After detailing his profound suffering and abandonment, David shifts abruptly from lament to a resolute declaration of his unwavering reliance on God, providing a moment of spiritual uplift and demonstrating the resilience of faith. The **Repetition** of personal pronouns and divine titles ("thee," "thou," "O LORD," "O Lord my God") reinforces the exclusive and deeply personal nature of David's hope and the singular object of his faith. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Petition** embedded within an affirmation, as the confident declaration "thou wilt hear" implicitly acknowledges the ongoing nature of his prayer and his expectation of a favorable, active response. This blend of lament, petition, and confident affirmation is characteristic of many psalms, showcasing the dynamic nature of biblical prayer.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 38:15 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine hope and responsiveness. It teaches that true hope is not a fleeting emotion tied to fluctuating circumstances, but a steadfast trust anchored in the unchanging character of God – particularly His covenant faithfulness (YHWH) and His personal sovereignty (Adonai). Even in the deepest valleys of suffering, the burden of sin, and the pain of abandonment, the believer's ultimate recourse and confident expectation must be in the Lord alone. This verse underscores the biblical truth that God is not distant or indifferent, but actively inclines His ear to the cries of His people, promising to hear and respond according to His perfect will and redemptive purposes. It affirms the profound intimacy of the divine-human relationship, where the Creator of the universe is also "my God," personally invested in the well-being and deliverance of His children.

* [Psalms 130:5](/psalms/130-5 "Psalms 130:5 - I wait for the LORD, my soul waits")
* [Lamentations 3:24](/lamentations/3-24 "Lamentations 3:24 - The LORD is my portion")
* [Jeremiah 29:12](/jeremiah/29-12 "Jeremiah 29:12 - Call upon me and I will listen")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 38:15 offers a profound spiritual anchor for believers navigating the storms of life. In a world that often encourages self-reliance or places hope in fleeting circumstances and human solutions, this verse powerfully redirects our gaze to the unchanging, ever-present God. When we are overwhelmed by physical ailments, burdened by the weight of our sins, or abandoned by those we thought would support us, David's declaration serves as a powerful model of faith. It reminds us that our ultimate hope is not found in the absence of suffering or in human remedies, but in the faithful, responsive presence of the Lord. This hope allows us to persevere in prayer, knowing with certainty that God hears and cares, even when the answer is not immediately apparent or aligns with our timing. It challenges us to cultivate a deep, personal relationship with God, recognizing Him as "my God" who is both sovereign over all creation and intimately involved in the minutiae of our lives. Embracing this truth transforms our lament into a confident expectation, enabling us to declare our trust even from the depths of despair, finding solace, strength, and ultimate deliverance in His unfailing character.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the primary sources of your hope when facing personal suffering, distress, or feelings of abandonment?**
* **How does David's dramatic shift from lament to a confident declaration of hope in Psalms 38:15 challenge or encourage your own prayer life, especially during difficult times?**
* **In what practical ways can you cultivate a more personal and intimate relationship with God, echoing David's deeply personal address, "O Lord my God"?**
* **How does the biblical understanding of "hope" (as active waiting and confident expectation rooted in God's character) differ from common secular definitions of hope, and how does this distinction impact your faith and resilience?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean that David's hope is "in thee, O LORD," and why is this significant?**

Answer: When David declares his hope is "in thee, O LORD," it signifies that his trust, confident expectation, and patient waiting are placed exclusively in God, the covenant-keeping, self-existent One (YHWH), rather than in any human agency, personal strength, or external circumstance. This is profoundly significant because it anchors his hope in an unchanging, omnipotent, and faithful being, providing an unshakeable foundation amidst his intense suffering and abandonment. Unlike hope placed in people or circumstances, which can fail or disappoint, hope in God is secure, reflecting a deep theological conviction that God alone is worthy of ultimate reliance. It transforms a lament into a powerful declaration of faith, demonstrating that even when all else crumbles, God remains the steadfast object of trust, as articulated by the psalmist: "[My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him](/psalms/62-5-6 "Psalms 62:5-6 - My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him")".

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 38:15, with its profound declaration of hope in God amidst suffering, finds its ultimate and most complete fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. David's experience of abandonment, physical distress, and the crushing burden of sin profoundly foreshadows the ultimate suffering of the Messiah, who bore the sins of the world and experienced profound isolation, even from the Father, on the cross, crying out, "[My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?")". Yet, even in His deepest agony, Jesus demonstrated unwavering hope and absolute trust in the Father, committing His spirit into God's hands with the words, "[Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!](/luke/23-46 "Luke 23:46 - Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!")". The confident assertion "thou wilt hear" becomes a powerful and living truth in Christ, for God always heard His Son, as Jesus Himself affirmed, "[Father, I thank you that you have heard me](/john/11-41-42 "John 11:41-42 - Jesus looked up and said, \"Father, I thank you that you have heard me.\"")". Through Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross, our hope is no longer merely an expectation of temporal deliverance from earthly woes, but a sure and certain hope of eternal life, complete forgiveness, and full reconciliation with God, for "[while we were still sinners, Christ died for us](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - While we were still sinners, Christ died for us")". He is the Lamb of God who truly takes away the sin of the world, and in Him, our prayers are heard, and our hope is secured, not through our own righteousness, but through His perfect obedience, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection. Thus, David's personal cry of "O Lord my God" is echoed and amplified in the new covenant, where believers, through Christ, can confidently approach God as their Father, having received "[the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, \"Abba! Father!\"](/romans/8-15 "Romans 8:15 - You received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, \"Abba! Father!\"")", and boldly "[approach the throne of grace with confidence](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence")".

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 39:7

¶ And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope [is] in thee.

Psalms 17:6

I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, [and] hear my speech.

Psalms 138:3

In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, [and] strengthenedst me [with] strength in my soul.

Psalms 123:1

¶ A Song of degrees. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.

Psalms 123:3

Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.