Psalms 38:2

KJV

For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.

KJV (with Strong's)

For thine arrows {H2671} stick fast {H5181} in me, and thy hand {H3027} presseth me sore {H5181}{H8799)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

for your arrows penetrate me deeply, and your hand is pressing me down.

Berean Standard Bible

For Your arrows have pierced me deeply, and Your hand has pressed down on me.

American Standard Version

For thine arrows stick fast in me, And thy hand presseth me sore.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 38:2 powerfully articulates King David's profound anguish, which he attributes directly to God's disciplinary hand. The vivid imagery of "arrows sticking fast" and a "hand pressing sore" conveys an overwhelming sense of physical, emotional, and spiritual affliction, establishing a deeply personal and penitential tone for this lament psalm as David grapples with the severe consequences of his sin and the perceived divine displeasure.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 38 is a deeply personal lament, titled "A Psalm of David, for the memorial offering," which may suggest its use in a context of remembrance, confession, or a specific petition. It belongs to the traditional group of seven Penitential Psalms (alongside [Psalms 6](/psalms/6 "Psalm 6 - A Prayer in Time of Trouble"), [Psalms 32](/psalms/32 "Psalm 32 - The Joy of Forgiveness"), [Psalms 51](/psalms/51 "Psalm 51 - A Prayer of Repentance"), [Psalms 102](/psalms/102 "Psalm 102 - A Prayer of an Afflicted Man"), [Psalms 130](/psalms/130 "Psalm 130 - Out of the Depths"), and [Psalms 143](/psalms/143 "Psalm 143 - A Prayer for Deliverance")). These psalms are characterized by intense confession of sin, deep lament over suffering, and earnest appeals for divine mercy. Verse 2 immediately follows David's opening plea in [Psalms 38:1](/psalms/38-1 "Psalms 38:1 - David's Plea for Mercy"), where he implores God not to rebuke him in anger or discipline him in wrath. This swift transition establishes that the intense suffering described in verse 2 is understood by David as a direct manifestation of God's displeasure, a just response to his own sin, which he will confess more explicitly later in the psalm (e.g., [Psalms 38:18](/psalms/38-18 "Psalms 38:18 - Psalms 38:18 - David's Confession of Guilt")). The psalm then unfolds as a detailed description of his physical decay, social isolation, and spiritual anguish, all interwoven with his desperate plea for God's swift intervention and deliverance.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's life, as chronicled in the books of Samuel and Kings, was marked by periods of profound moral failure and subsequent suffering, most notably his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah (described in [2 Samuel 11](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David and Bathsheba") and [2 Samuel 12](/2_samuel/12 "2 Samuel 12 - Nathan's Rebuke")). In ancient Israelite thought, particularly as articulated in the Deuteronomic covenant, there was often a direct correlation perceived between obedience and blessing, and between disobedience and curses or suffering (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). While the wisdom literature (e.g., Job) later nuanced this direct cause-and-effect, David clearly interprets his current distress through this lens, believing it to be God's disciplinary hand. The imagery of "arrows" and a "heavy hand" would have resonated deeply with ancient Near Eastern concepts of divine judgment, where deities were often depicted as wielding instruments of punishment or bringing about plagues and afflictions. For a king, physical illness or public humiliation was not merely a personal misfortune but could also be seen as a sign of divine disfavor, potentially impacting the stability and perception of his rule and the well-being of the nation.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 38 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Discipline**, portraying God as actively involved in the lives of His people, even to the point of inflicting suffering as a means of correction and refinement. David's perception highlights God's holiness and justice, demonstrating that sin has consequences, even for His chosen ones, a truth echoed in [Hebrews 12:6](/hebrews/12-6 "Hebrews 12:6 - The Lord Disciplines Those He Loves"). Secondly, it emphasizes the **Consequences of Sin**, illustrating the painful and pervasive repercussions that can follow disobedience, affecting both body and spirit. David's experience serves as a stark reminder that sin is not a light matter, and its wages can be severe, a truth found throughout Scripture (e.g., [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")). Finally, the verse conveys a profound sense of **Overwhelming Distress**, using vivid metaphors to describe a pervasive, inescapable pain and burden that affects David's entire being, leaving him feeling helpless and utterly crushed by the weight of his affliction and guilt.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **arrows (Hebrew, _chêts'_):** This word (H2671), typically referring to literal arrows used in warfare or hunting, is employed here as a potent metaphor for swift, piercing calamities or judgments. In biblical literature, "arrows" can symbolize divine judgment (e.g., [Deuteronomy 32:23](/deuteronomy/32-23 "Deuteronomy 32:23 - God's Arrows of Judgment")), the words of the wicked, or sharp pains. Here, they represent the direct, penetrating, and inescapable nature of God's displeasure and the intense pain it inflicts upon David, suggesting a targeted and specific affliction rather than random misfortune. The plural form "arrows" indicates multiple, continuous, or pervasive afflictions.
* **hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** This primitive word (H3027) denotes the open hand, often symbolizing power, means, direction, or agency. In this context, "thy hand" signifies God's direct and active involvement. When associated with pressing or affliction, it conveys the idea of divine power exerted to bring about judgment or discipline. It emphasizes that David's suffering is not accidental but a deliberate act of God's sovereign will, a manifestation of His authority and control over all things, including the circumstances of human life.
* **presseth (Hebrew, _nâchath'_):** This primitive root (H5181) means "to sink," "to descend," or "to come down upon." When used in conjunction with a heavy object or a hand, it conveys the idea of a crushing, overwhelming weight. The phrase "presseth me sore" (where "sore" intensifies the action of pressing, stemming from the same root's implication of severity) suggests a relentless, inescapable pressure that bears down on David, leaving him feeling utterly helpless and unable to escape the burden. This is not a gentle touch but a heavy, oppressive force that deeply affects his physical and emotional state.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For thine arrows stick fast in me":** David directly attributes his suffering to God, using the possessive "thine," indicating a personal and direct divine agency. The imagery of "arrows sticking fast" emphasizes the penetrating, inescapable, and persistent nature of his affliction. It suggests that the pain is not fleeting but deeply embedded within him, causing continuous agony. This is a profound, internal suffering, felt within his very being, indicating that the divine judgment or discipline has reached the core of his existence, leaving him wounded and unable to dislodge the source of his pain.
* **"and thy hand presseth me sore":** This clause reinforces the previous one, using a different but equally powerful metaphor. The "hand of God" is a common biblical idiom for divine power, whether for blessing or judgment. Here, it is an instrument of severe pressure. The verb "presseth" (nâchath) combined with the intensifying "sore" conveys a sense of overwhelming, crushing weight. David feels literally burdened and oppressed by God's powerful hand, suggesting a comprehensive affliction that impacts his physical health, emotional well-being, and spiritual state, leaving him utterly overwhelmed and debilitated. The two images together paint a picture of inescapable, pervasive, and deeply personal suffering.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich in **Metaphor**, primarily employing the imagery of "arrows" and a "pressing hand" to convey David's profound suffering. The "arrows" serve as a vivid metaphor for sharp, piercing pains or divine judgments that have struck him and remain embedded, causing continuous agony. The "hand" is a powerful metaphor for God's active power and presence, here depicted as a source of immense, crushing weight and severe discipline. This use of physical, tangible objects to describe abstract spiritual and emotional distress makes David's experience palpable and relatable to the reader. There is also a strong element of **Personification** as God's "hand" is depicted as actively "pressing" David, attributing a human-like action to the divine. Furthermore, the intensity of the language, describing arrows "sticking fast" and a hand "pressing sore," borders on **Hyperbole**, amplifying the profound and inescapable nature of David's perceived divine discipline and his overwhelming distress, ensuring the reader grasps the full measure of his anguish. The parallelism between the two clauses, though not strict synonymous parallelism, emphasizes the dual nature of his affliction – piercing and crushing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 38:2 powerfully articulates a foundational biblical truth: God is sovereign over all circumstances, including human suffering. While not all suffering is a direct result of personal sin, David's lament reflects a deep theological understanding that God uses various means, including discipline, to draw His people back to Himself and to refine their character. This verse highlights the gravity of sin and its capacity to disrupt one's relationship with God, leading to profound internal and external consequences. Yet, even within this painful acknowledgment of divine discipline, there is an implicit recognition of God's justice and His ultimate purpose to restore, as the psalm moves towards a plea for help and reliance on God's salvation. David's experience serves as a reminder that God's hand, though it may press sore in correction, is ultimately guided by His holy love and desire for our repentance and healing, aiming to conform us to His image.

* [Hebrews 12:5](/hebrews/12-5-11 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God's Discipline for His Children")
* [Job 6:4](/job/6-4 "Job's Experience with God's Arrows")
* [Lamentations 3:1](/lamentations/3-1-3 "Lamentations 3:1-3 - The Man Who Has Seen Affliction")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's raw confession in Psalms 38:2 invites us to a profound introspection regarding our own experiences of suffering and our relationship with God. While believers under the New Covenant are no longer under the law's condemnation for sin, God, in His infinite wisdom and love, still disciplines His children for their good, that they may share in His holiness ([Hebrews 12:10](/hebrews/12-10 "Hebrews 12:10 - God Disciplines Us for Our Good")). This verse challenges us to consider if our current distress might be an invitation from God to examine our hearts, confess unacknowledged sin, or realign our lives with His perfect will. It calls us to humility, acknowledging God's sovereignty even in pain, and to trust that His purposes are always redemptive, even when His hand feels heavy. Like David, our ultimate response should be to turn to God in repentance and earnest prayer, seeking His mercy and restorative grace, knowing that true healing begins with honest self-assessment, humble confession, and a sincere return to the Lord, trusting in His unfailing love and faithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When facing difficult circumstances, do I tend to immediately look inward for potential sin, or do I first look outward for external causes and blame?**
* **How do I reconcile God's unwavering love and grace with the concept of divine discipline or judgment, as portrayed in this verse?**
* **What might it look like to "feel God's hand pressing sore" in my own life, and how would I respond to such a profound sense of divine pressure?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a heart of humility and quick repentance when I recognize areas of disobedience or misalignment with God's will in my life?**

### FAQ
**Does God literally shoot arrows or physically press people to cause suffering?**

Answer: No, the language in Psalms 38:2 is highly metaphorical, not literal. David uses vivid poetic imagery to express the *intensity* and *personal impact* of his suffering, which he perceives as coming directly from God. "Arrows" symbolize sharp, piercing pains, calamities, or judgments, while "God's hand pressing sore" represents an overwhelming, crushing burden or severe discipline. These metaphors convey the idea that God is sovereign over all circumstances, including affliction, and that He may allow or orchestrate difficult experiences to bring about repentance, refine character, or demonstrate His justice. The Bible consistently uses anthropomorphic language (attributing human characteristics to God) to help us understand divine actions and attributes, but it does not imply that God physically interacts with humans in these ways. Rather, it communicates the profound reality of His active involvement in human lives and His righteous response to sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's lament in Psalms 38:2, with its raw depiction of suffering under the perceived weight of divine displeasure for his own sin, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. David, as a king and a sinner, felt the "arrows" and the "pressing hand" of God's discipline for his transgressions. However, Christ, the perfect and sinless Son of God, willingly became the ultimate recipient of God's righteous wrath against *our* sin. On the cross, the "arrows" of divine judgment, meant for humanity, pierced Him, and the "hand" of God's justice pressed upon Him with an unimaginable weight, as He bore the full penalty for the sins of the world ([Isaiah 53:4-5](/isaiah/53-4-5 "Isaiah 53:4-5 - The Suffering Servant")). He truly became sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His atoning sacrifice, the curse that brought such heavy consequences upon David and all humanity was absorbed by Christ ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). For those who are in Christ, God's hand no longer presses in punitive judgment for sin, for that judgment was fully satisfied in His Son. Instead, God's hand now presses in loving discipline for spiritual growth ([Hebrews 12:7-11](/hebrews/12-7-11 "Hebrews 12:7-11 - God Disciplines Us as Sons")), and ultimately, in comforting and sustaining grace, leading to eternal healing and restoration in Him who conquered sin and death, offering us forgiveness and new life.

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

Job 6:4

For the arrows of the Almighty [are] within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

Psalms 32:4

For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.

Psalms 64:7

¶ But God shall shoot at them [with] an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.

1 Samuel 5:11

So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.

Psalms 39:10

Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.

Psalms 39:11

When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man [is] vanity. Selah.

Deuteronomy 2:15

For indeed the hand of the LORD was against them, to destroy them from among the host, until they were consumed.