Psalms 38:2

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

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

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

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

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

In Psalms 38:2, King David begins his lament by vividly describing the intensity of his suffering, attributing it directly to God's hand. This verse sets the deeply personal and penitential tone for the entire psalm, revealing a soul overwhelmed by affliction.

Context

Psalm 38 is one of the seven penitential psalms, where David expresses profound sorrow and confession over his sin, which he believes is the direct cause of his severe physical and emotional distress. The psalm opens with an urgent plea for God not to rebuke him in anger, immediately followed by this verse, which illustrates the depth of the divine displeasure he feels. It paints a picture of a man burdened by guilt and its consequences, feeling God's disciplinary hand pressing down upon him.

Key Themes

  • Divine Discipline: David perceives his suffering not as random misfortune, but as a direct act of God's corrective discipline. This highlights God's justice and holiness, demonstrating that He holds His people accountable for their actions.
  • Consequences of Sin: The verse powerfully illustrates the painful repercussions that can follow disobedience. David acknowledges that his own transgressions have led to this state of intense affliction, a theme echoed throughout the Scriptures (e.g., Romans 6:23).
  • Overwhelming Distress: The imagery of "arrows sticking fast" and a "hand pressing sore" conveys a sense of pervasive, inescapable pain and burden, affecting both body and spirit.

Linguistic Insights

  • The word for "arrows" (Hebrew: chittsim, חִצִּים) is a potent metaphor in the Bible, often representing swift, piercing calamities or judgments, whether from enemies or from God Himself (compare Job 6:4). Here, they symbolize the sharp, penetrating nature of God's displeasure and the pain it inflicts.
  • "Presseth me sore" uses the Hebrew verb nachath (נָחַת), meaning "to descend" or "to sink," combined with kabad (כָּבַד) for "sore" or "heavily." This imagery evokes a heavy, crushing weight, suggesting an overwhelming burden that bears down on David, leaving him helpless and overwhelmed. It speaks to the immense pressure and suffering he endured.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God, in His sovereignty, may use difficult circumstances as a form of discipline or correction in the lives of His children (Hebrews 12:6). It encourages believers to:

  • Introspect: When facing severe trials, it's wise to examine one's heart and life for unconfessed sin or areas where one might be living out of alignment with God's will.
  • Acknowledge God's Hand: Even in suffering, recognizing God's ultimate control and purpose can lead to humility and repentance, paving the way for restoration.
  • Seek Repentance: Like David, understanding that our suffering may stem from our actions can motivate us to seek God's forgiveness and mercy, leading to healing and spiritual renewal.
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.

  • 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.

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