Psalms 38:18

KJV

For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.

KJV (with Strong's)

For I will declare {H5046} mine iniquity {H5771}; I will be sorry {H1672}{H8799)} for my sin {H2403}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I acknowledge my guilt, I am anxious because of my sin.

Berean Standard Bible

Yes, I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.

American Standard Version

For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 38:18 captures a pivotal moment in the psalmist's journey of repentance, where he resolves to openly confess his deep-seated wrongdoing and express profound remorse for his transgressions. This verse serves as a crucial turning point within a psalm of lament, signaling a shift from suffering under the weight of sin to a humble and active pursuit of divine mercy and restoration through transparent acknowledgment and heartfelt sorrow. It underscores the essential components of genuine repentance: a decisive act of confession and a sincere emotional response of grief over sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 38 is a deeply personal and penitential psalm, often attributed to King David. It is one of the seven traditional penitential psalms (Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143), characterized by the psalmist's profound distress over his sin, physical affliction, and the abandonment by friends and family. The preceding verses (e.g., [Psalms 38:1-17](/psalms/38 "Psalm 38:1-17 - A Plea in Distress")) vividly describe the psalmist's overwhelming suffering, which he perceives as a direct consequence of his wrongdoing and God's displeasure. Verse 18 marks a crucial pivot from describing this suffering and isolation to an active resolution to confess and repent, setting the stage for a plea for deliverance and hope in God's salvation (e.g., [Psalms 38:21-22](/psalms/38-21 "Psalm 38:21-22 - Plea for Deliverance")). It is a personal cry, revealing the internal turmoil of one grappling with their own moral failings and their impact.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the specific historical circumstances for Psalm 38 are not explicitly stated, the themes resonate strongly with David's known struggles with sin, particularly his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, as detailed in [2 Samuel 11-12](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11-12 - David's Sin and Nathan's Confrontation"). In ancient Israel, sin was understood not merely as a private transgression but as an offense against a holy God and often, a disruption of communal well-being. Confession was a vital component of seeking reconciliation with God and restoration within the community, often accompanied by sacrifices and rituals, though here the emphasis is on the internal, heartfelt disposition. The public nature of sin and its consequences, as well as the importance of proper atonement, were deeply ingrained in the Israelite worldview, making the psalmist's resolve to openly declare his sin a significant act of humility and faith.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to the overarching themes of **penitence** and **divine justice** within Psalm 38. The psalmist's physical and emotional suffering is directly linked to his sin, illustrating the biblical principle that actions have consequences, even for the righteous. However, the verse also introduces the theme of **hope through confession**, demonstrating that acknowledging wrongdoing is the necessary first step towards healing and restoration. It underscores the profound **humility** required to admit one's faults before God, contrasting with human tendencies to hide or rationalize sin, a motif found throughout Scripture (e.g., [Proverbs 28:13](/proverbs/28-13 "Proverbs 28:13 - Confession and Mercy")). The psalmist's resolve to "declare" and "be sorry" highlights the dual nature of true repentance: a cognitive acknowledgment and an emotional lament, both essential for genuine turning to God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Declare (Hebrew, _nāgad'_):** This verb signifies "to make known," "to tell," or "to report." It implies a full, unreserved disclosure, bringing hidden things into the light. It's not a hesitant admission but a deliberate, open proclamation of one's inner state and actions. In a legal or covenantal context, *nāgad* can denote a formal accusation or testimony, suggesting the psalmist is laying bare his case before God, not hiding anything.
* **Iniquity (Hebrew, _ʿāwōn'_):** This term refers to perversity, guilt, or moral distortion. It suggests not merely a wrong act, but the crookedness or deviation from God's straight path inherent in the sin. *ʿāwōn* often carries the sense of the burden or consequence of sin, implying that the psalmist recognizes the twisted nature of his transgression and the resulting culpability and suffering it has brought upon him.
* **Sorry (Hebrew, _ʿāṣab'_):** This word conveys deep grief, pain, or vexation. It's not a superficial regret but a profound sorrow that stems from the heart, indicating genuine remorse for the offense committed against God and others. This sorrow is a spiritual anguish, a recognition of the damage caused by sin, and a catalyst for a desire to turn away from it.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For I will declare mine iniquity;":** This clause signifies a decisive, volitional act of confession. The psalmist is not merely acknowledging a fault intellectually but is actively resolving to bring his sin into the open before God. The use of "mine iniquity" emphasizes personal ownership and responsibility for the moral distortion and guilt that characterize his wrongdoing. It is a humble admission that he is the source of the problem, rather than blaming external circumstances or others. This declaration is a prerequisite for spiritual healing and restoration, as it removes the barrier of hidden sin between the individual and God.
* **"I will be sorry for my sin.":** This second clause complements the first by adding the crucial emotional and spiritual dimension of repentance. It moves beyond intellectual acknowledgment to heartfelt remorse. "Sorry" here implies deep grief and vexation over having offended God and violated His righteous ways. "My sin" refers to the specific acts of missing God's mark, reinforcing the personal nature of the transgression. This sorrow is not merely regret for consequences, but a profound sadness over the breach in relationship with a holy God, which is a hallmark of true, godly repentance. It signifies a desire for reconciliation and a turning away from the actions that caused the offense.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs clear **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second clause ("I will be sorry for my sin") echoes and intensifies the meaning of the first ("For I will declare mine iniquity"). Both clauses express the psalmist's resolve to engage in the process of repentance, with "declaring iniquity" focusing on the outward act of confession and "being sorry for sin" emphasizing the inward emotional and spiritual state of remorse. This structural mirroring reinforces the comprehensive nature of the psalmist's commitment to acknowledging and repenting of his wrongdoing. The psalmist's language also exhibits **First-Person Declaration**, emphasizing the personal and volitional nature of his commitment to confession and repentance, making it a deeply intimate and internal resolve.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the biblical pathway to reconciliation with God: honest confession coupled with genuine remorse. Theologically, it underscores God's character as one who desires truth in the inward parts and is ready to forgive those who humble themselves. It highlights human responsibility in sin and the necessity of acknowledging that sin is not merely a mistake but an offense against a holy God, carrying moral culpability. The psalmist's resolve anticipates the New Testament emphasis on repentance as a prerequisite for salvation and ongoing spiritual health, demonstrating that God's grace is extended to those who turn from their sin with a contrite heart. This act of confession is not about informing an omniscient God, but about aligning the human heart with divine truth, breaking the power of hidden sin, and opening the door for healing and restoration.

* [Proverbs 28:13](/proverbs/28-13 "Proverbs 28:13 - Hiding Sin vs. Confession")
* [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness")
* [2 Corinthians 7:10](/2_corinthians/7-10 "2 Corinthians 7:10 - Godly Sorrow Leading to Repentance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 38:18 offers a timeless model for spiritual integrity and healing. In a world that often encourages hiding faults or minimizing personal responsibility, the psalmist's courageous declaration serves as a powerful counter-cultural example. True spiritual freedom begins when we cease to hide our sins from God and ourselves, choosing instead to bring them into the light of His truth. This act of confession is not a sign of weakness but of profound strength and humility, acknowledging our dependence on God's mercy rather than our own self-sufficiency. Furthermore, the verse reminds us that genuine repentance involves not just an intellectual acknowledgment of wrongdoing, but a deep, heartfelt sorrow that leads to a desire for change and a turning away from the sin. Embracing this posture allows us to experience the profound grace, cleansing, and restoration that God freely offers to those with a contrite spirit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it truly mean for me to "declare mine iniquity" before God? Am I holding anything back?**
* **How deeply do I feel "sorry for my sin"? Is my sorrow merely regret for consequences, or is it a genuine grief over offending a holy God?**
* **What steps can I take today to cultivate a more honest and humble posture of confession and repentance in my spiritual life?**

### FAQ
**Does God already know my sins, so why do I need to declare them?**

Answer: Yes, God is omniscient and knows all things, including every sin we have committed. The act of declaring our iniquity, as seen in [Psalms 38:18](/psalms/38-18 "Psalm 38:18 - Confession and Sorrow"), is not for God's information but for our transformation. It is an act of humility, acknowledging our responsibility, and aligning our hearts with His truth. Confession breaks the power of hidden sin, brings us into agreement with God's assessment of our actions, and opens the door for His promised forgiveness and cleansing, as affirmed in [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness"). It is a vital step in restoring our relationship with Him and experiencing the freedom that comes from living in the light.

**What is the difference between being "sorry for my sin" and just feeling regret?**

Answer: The sorrow expressed in [Psalms 38:18](/psalms/38-18 "Psalm 38:18 - Confession and Sorrow") goes beyond mere regret, which often focuses on the negative consequences or embarrassment of being caught. Biblical "sorrow for sin," or godly sorrow, is a deep, heartfelt grief over having offended God and violated His righteous standards. As described in [2 Corinthians 7:10](/2_corinthians/7-10 "2 Corinthians 7:10 - Godly Sorrow Leading to Repentance"), "godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, without regret." This means it leads to a genuine turning away from sin and a desire to live in obedience to God, whereas worldly regret can lead to despair or merely a desire to avoid future negative outcomes without true heart change. Godly sorrow is a gift that prompts genuine transformation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 38:18, with its profound call to confess iniquity and be sorry for sin, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the psalmist expresses a human resolve to repent, it is Christ who perfectly models and makes possible true repentance and forgiveness. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bearing the full weight of our iniquity on the cross, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:6](/isaiah/53-6 "Isaiah 53:6 - All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray"). Our ability to "declare mine iniquity" and genuinely "be sorry for my sin" is empowered by the Holy Spirit, whom Christ sent to [convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment](/john/16-8 "John 16:8 - The Holy Spirit's Convicting Work"). Through faith in Christ's atoning sacrifice, the burden of guilt and the consequences of sin are removed, and we receive not just forgiveness but also the power to live a new life, free from sin's dominion, as proclaimed in [Romans 6:6-7](/romans/6-6 "Romans 6:6-7 - Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ"). Thus, the psalmist's yearning for restoration is fully realized in the New Covenant, where Christ's blood cleanses us from all sin, making us truly righteous before God, not by our own declaration or sorrow alone, but by His perfect work on our behalf, as we confess our sins to Him, knowing [He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness").

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 32:5

I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

Proverbs 28:13

¶ He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.

Psalms 51:3

For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin [is] ever before me.

Job 33:27

He looketh upon men, and [if any] say, I have sinned, and perverted [that which was] right, and it profited me not;

2 Corinthians 7:7

And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

2 Corinthians 7:11

For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, [what] clearing of yourselves, yea, [what] indignation, yea, [what] fear, yea, [what] vehement desire, yea, [what] zeal, yea, [what] revenge! In all [things] ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

Job 31:33

¶ If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom: