Psalms 38:15

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

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

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

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

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

Psalms 38:15 (KJV) reads: "For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God." This verse serves as a profound declaration of faith and trust amidst deep personal suffering, offering a beacon of hope in the midst of lament.

Context

Psalm 38 is one of the seven penitential psalms, a heartfelt lament from King David expressing profound physical and spiritual distress. The preceding verses detail his intense suffering due to illness, the burden of his sins, and the abandonment by friends and family. David describes his wounds festering (Psalms 38:5), his bones having no rest, and his strength failing. In this dire state, verse 15 marks a pivotal shift, moving from a detailed description of his affliction to an unwavering declaration of trust and expectation in God. It highlights that even when all earthly support fails, hope can be found in the divine.

Key Themes

  • Unwavering Hope in God: The core message is David's absolute reliance on the Lord. Despite his overwhelming pain and isolation, his hope is not placed in human remedies or fleeting circumstances, but solely "in thee, O LORD." This exemplifies a deep, abiding faith that transcends immediate troubles.
  • Divine Responsiveness to Prayer: David's confident assertion, "thou wilt hear, O Lord my God," underscores his conviction that God is not distant but attentive and responsive to the cries of His people. This belief in God's willingness to hear and act is a cornerstone of biblical faith.
  • Personal Relationship with God: The repeated use of personal address, "O LORD" (referring to God's covenant name, YHWH) and "O Lord my God" (Adonai Elohai), emphasizes the intimate and personal nature of David's relationship with the Almighty. He approaches God not just as a distant deity, but as his personal Sovereign and Deliverer.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "hope" used here is yakhal (יחל), which conveys more than just a passive wish. It implies an active waiting, an enduring expectation, and a confident looking forward. It suggests steadfastness and a willingness to wait for God's perfect timing and intervention. Similarly, the verb "hear" is 'anah (ענה), which means not just to perceive sound, but to answer, respond, or attend to. Thus, David is not merely hoping God hears his prayers physically, but that He will actively respond and intervene on his behalf, fulfilling the promise of Jeremiah 29:12: "Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you."

Practical Application

Psalms 38:15 offers immense encouragement for believers facing their own times of distress, illness, or spiritual burden. It teaches us to shift our focus from our problems to the character of God. Even when circumstances seem bleak and human help is absent, our ultimate hope and trust should remain in the Lord. This verse calls us to:

  • Persevere in Prayer: Like David, we should continue to pray with confidence, knowing that God listens and cares for His children.
  • Cultivate Personal Trust: Develop a deep, personal relationship with God, recognizing Him as "my God" who is faithful and responsive.
  • Find Hope in God's Character: Remember that God's nature is constant and His promises are true, providing an anchor for our souls in turbulent times, as seen in Hebrews 6:19.
This verse reminds us that even from the depths of despair, a declaration of hope in God can transform our outlook and strengthen our faith.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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