Psalms 38:22

KJV

Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.

KJV (with Strong's)

Make haste {H2363} to help {H5833} me, O Lord {H136} my salvation {H8668}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Come quickly to help me, Adonai, my salvation!

Berean Standard Bible

Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior.

American Standard Version

Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 38:22 serves as the climactic, urgent plea of a psalmist in profound distress, grappling with the multifaceted consequences of sin, physical affliction, and the abandonment of others. Despite overwhelming suffering and a deep sense of unworthiness, the psalmist's hope remains singularly anchored in God, whom he fervently implores for immediate and ultimate deliverance. This verse encapsulates a desperate yet trusting cry for divine intervention, recognizing God as the sole source of true rescue and comprehensive well-being.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 38 is a deeply personal and poignant lament, explicitly categorized as a penitential psalm due to its direct acknowledgment of sin as a cause of suffering (e.g., [Psalms 38:3-5](/psalms/38-3-5 "Psalm 38:3-5 - Consequences of Sin and Affliction")). The psalm opens with a plea for God not to rebuke in anger, quickly transitioning into a vivid description of severe physical illness and emotional agony, often understood as divine chastisement. The psalmist details his wounds, the stench of his sores, his bowed and mournful state, and the intense pain that racks his body. Amidst this physical torment, he laments the desertion of friends and family, and the malicious plots of his enemies ([Psalms 38:11-12](/psalms/38-11-12 "Psalm 38:11-12 - Abandonment and Opposition")). The narrative progresses through confession of iniquity, a declaration of unwavering dependence on God, and a final, desperate appeal for help. Verse 22 serves as the culminating cry, an urgent and direct address to God, summarizing the psalmist's absolute reliance on divine intervention as his only hope for comprehensive deliverance.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the specific historical occasion for Psalm 38 is not detailed, it reflects a common experience in ancient Israel where suffering, particularly severe illness or misfortune, was often interpreted through the lens of Deuteronomic theology as a consequence of sin ([Deuteronomy/28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses for Obedience and Disobedience")). Individuals experiencing such afflictions frequently faced social ostracism, as their condition was perceived as a visible sign of divine displeasure. The psalmist's lament over abandoned friends and plotting enemies underscores the profound vulnerability of the afflicted in a communal society that often linked well-being to righteousness. The act of lament itself was a vital and structured part of Israelite worship and personal piety, providing a legitimate avenue for individuals to express their pain, confess their sins, and appeal to God's covenant faithfulness and mercy. The psalmist's direct address to "Lord" (ʼĂdônây) signifies an appeal to the sovereign God of Israel, who had historically proven Himself as a faithful deliverer and rescuer.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **Urgency of Divine Intervention**, underscoring that human suffering can reach a point where only swift and decisive action from God can bring relief. Secondly, it emphasizes **God as the Sole Source of Salvation**, personalizing the universal truth that ultimate deliverance, whether from sin, sickness, or enemies, originates entirely and exclusively from the Almighty. This echoes the psalmist's declaration in [Psalms 62:1](/psalms/62-1 "Psalm 62:1 - God Alone is My Salvation"), "Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation." Thirdly, it showcases **Trust Amidst Profound Suffering**, demonstrating that genuine faith perseveres even when one feels utterly forsaken and afflicted, and even when one acknowledges personal culpability for their plight. The psalmist's cry is not one of despairing resignation but of hopeful expectation in God's character as a merciful and powerful rescuer, even when acknowledging his own "foolishness" and "iniquity" ([Psalms 38:5](/psalms/38-5 "Psalm 38:5 - Foolishness and Iniquity")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Make haste (Hebrew, _chûwsh'_):** This imperative verb (H2363) conveys an intense sense of urgency and immediacy. It means "to hurry," "to act quickly," or "to show haste." In the context of a desperate plea, it reflects the psalmist's profound distress and his belief in God's ability to respond swiftly and decisively. It is not a demand, but a fervent, humble, yet desperate appeal for God to intervene without delay, recognizing that the psalmist's situation is critical and time-sensitive.
* **Lord (Hebrew, _ʼĂdônây'_):** This emphatic form (H136) of the Hebrew word for "master" or "owner" is used here as a proper name of God, signifying His absolute sovereignty and authority. By addressing God as "ʼĂdônây," the psalmist acknowledges God's supreme Lordship and His right to command, but also His benevolent rule and His covenant relationship with His people. It is a title of reverence and submission, yet also of intimate appeal to the One who holds ultimate power and authority over all circumstances.
* **My salvation (Hebrew, _tᵉshûwʻâh'_):** The noun (H8668) is rich in meaning, encompassing rescue, deliverance, help, safety, and victory. By calling God "my salvation," the psalmist is not merely asking for a specific act of rescue, but is acknowledging God as the very source and embodiment of all forms of deliverance, personally appropriating God's saving power directly to his own life. This term is foundational to understanding God's character as a rescuer throughout the Scriptures, pointing to His comprehensive ability to bring about wholeness and freedom from all forms of distress, including the consequences of sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Make haste to help me,"**: This opening phrase is an urgent, direct imperative plea. It reveals the depth of the psalmist's suffering and his desperate need for immediate divine intervention. The "help" sought is comprehensive, encompassing relief from physical pain, emotional anguish, and the pressure of enemies, all exacerbated by the burden of sin. It is a cry born out of the recognition that human remedies have failed, and only God's swift, decisive action can suffice to alleviate his dire situation.
* **"O Lord"**: This direct address to "ʼĂdônây" (Lord) signifies an appeal to the sovereign, covenant God of Israel. It is a personal and intimate invocation, acknowledging God's supreme authority, faithfulness, and power. The psalmist appeals to God not merely as a distant deity, but as the personal God who has entered into a relationship with His people and is bound by His character and covenant promises to respond to their cries for help.
* **"my salvation."**: This concluding declaration is a profound statement of faith and absolute dependence. By calling God "my salvation," the psalmist affirms that God alone is his ultimate deliverer, rescuer, and source of well-being. It is a personal appropriation of God's saving power, indicating that despite his current suffering and acknowledged sin, his hope for comprehensive deliverance rests entirely and exclusively in God's character and ability to save. This phrase encapsulates the psalmist's ultimate trust in God's redemptive power.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 38:22 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent message and profound theological truth. The most prominent is **Apostrophe**, a direct address to an absent or abstract entity, in this case, God ("O Lord"). This direct address intensifies the personal and intimate nature of the prayer, making it a fervent plea from the depths of the psalmist's being, bypassing intermediaries to appeal directly to the divine. The use of the **Imperative Mood** in "Make haste" underscores the extreme urgency and desperation of the psalmist's situation; it is a command, yet one born of humble reliance, not presumption, reflecting a desperate cry for immediate relief. The phrase "my salvation" functions as a powerful **Metaphor** and **Personalization**, where God is not just the *source* of salvation, but is *identified* as salvation itself, personally appropriated by the psalmist. This declaration transforms an abstract concept into an intimate, relational truth. This personal declaration also contributes to the verse's role as a **Climax** within the psalm, serving as the ultimate, culminating cry for deliverance after a lengthy and detailed lament of suffering and confession, bringing the emotional intensity of the psalm to its peak.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 38:22 stands as a powerful testament to the biblical truth that God is the ultimate and sole source of deliverance for His people, particularly in times of profound distress and spiritual brokenness. It affirms the legitimacy of crying out to God with raw honesty and urgent desperation, even when one's suffering is a direct consequence of personal sin. This verse highlights God's character as a compassionate and responsive deliverer, ever ready to hear the cries of His afflicted children who turn to Him in repentance and faith. It underscores the theological concept of *hesed*—God's steadfast love and covenant faithfulness—which compels Him to act on behalf of those who depend entirely on Him for rescue and restoration, demonstrating that His mercy triumphs over judgment for the penitent. The psalmist's cry is a model for all who find themselves in deep need, reminding us that God's saving power is comprehensive and immediate.

* [Psalms 70:5](/psalms/70-5 "Urgent Plea for Help")
* [Isaiah 12:2](/isaiah/12-2 "Isaiah 12:2 - God Is My Salvation")
* [Psalms 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "God Our Refuge and Strength")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 38:22 offers profound encouragement for believers navigating the complexities of suffering, sin, and the desperate need for divine intervention. It validates the human experience of deep distress and the spiritual discipline of honest lament, inviting us to bring our complete selves—our physical pains, emotional burdens, and even the shame of our own failings—directly to God, without pretense or delay. This verse teaches us that true faith is not the absence of struggle or the denial of our own culpability, but the persistent turning to God as our ultimate hope, even when the consequences of our actions weigh heavily. In a world that often offers temporary fixes or encourages self-reliance, the psalmist's urgent cry reminds us that genuine and lasting "salvation" comes only from the Lord. It calls us to cultivate a radical dependence on God, acknowledging Him as our first and last resort, our ever-present help in trouble, and the only one capable of comprehensive deliverance from all forms of bondage and suffering.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently experiencing a profound sense of urgency or desperation, prompting you to cry out to God with a "make haste" plea?**
* **How does the psalmist's acknowledgment of his own sin, alongside his fervent plea for help, inform your approach to prayer when you are suffering due to your own choices or shortcomings?**
* **What does it truly mean for God to be "my salvation" in your personal experience, extending beyond just the forgiveness of sins to encompass holistic deliverance and well-being?**
* **When human help or solutions fail, how quickly and completely do you turn to God as your ultimate and sole source of deliverance and hope?**

### FAQ
**Why does the psalmist ask God to "make haste" instead of simply asking for help?**

Answer: The request to "make haste" (Hebrew: *chûwsh*) reflects the psalmist's profound and immediate distress. It's not a lack of faith in God's power, but an expression of the overwhelming nature of his suffering—physical pain, emotional anguish, and the burden of sin—which makes any delay unbearable. This urgent plea underscores the critical state of his condition, implying that his very survival or well-being depends on God's swift intervention. It's a common feature in lament psalms, where the psalmist's desperate circumstances compel them to appeal to God's attribute of timely and decisive action, as seen in other urgent pleas like [Psalms 70:1](/psalms/70-1 "Psalm 70:1 - Make Haste to Deliver Me"). It highlights the intensity of his need for divine rescue.

**How can we reconcile the psalmist's suffering, seemingly due to sin, with God's character as "my salvation"?**

Answer: This tension is central to the penitential psalms and a profound theological truth. The psalmist acknowledges that his suffering is a consequence of his "foolishness" and "iniquity" ([Psalms 38:5](/psalms/38-5 "Psalm 38:5 - Foolishness and Iniquity")), aligning with the biblical principle that sin has consequences. However, even in acknowledging his culpability, the psalmist does not turn away from God but *to* Him. God's character as "my salvation" signifies His capacity and willingness to deliver even those who have erred, demonstrating His mercy and grace. This highlights the transformative power of repentance and faith. God's salvation is not only deliverance from external threats but also from the internal burden and consequences of sin, offering restoration and healing to the penitent heart, as promised in passages like [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession of Sins"). It is a testament to God's boundless grace that He remains our salvation even when we are the cause of our own distress.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 38:22, with its desperate cry for "salvation" amidst suffering and sin, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The psalmist's lament foreshadows the perfect lament of the Son of God, who, though sinless, fully entered into the human experience of suffering and bore the crushing weight of humanity's sin. Just as the psalmist cried out in anguish, so too did Christ, particularly in Gethsemane, where He pleaded with the Father, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me" ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")). His agonizing cry on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry on the Cross")), echoes the profound sense of abandonment felt by the psalmist, yet it was a cry made on behalf of all humanity, bearing the ultimate consequence of sin. Jesus is the true "salvation" (Hebrew: *Yeshua*), the one whose very name means "the Lord saves" ([Matthew 1:21](/matthew/1-21 "Matthew 1:21 - Jesus Will Save His People")). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), offering not just temporary relief but eternal deliverance from sin, death, and the power of the grave. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ makes haste to help us, providing the ultimate and comprehensive salvation that the psalmist longed for, enabling all who believe in Him to boldly approach God's throne in their time of need ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")), knowing that He is our ever-present help and our eternal salvation.

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 27:1

¶ [A Psalm] of David. The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalms 40:13

Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.

Isaiah 12:2

Behold, God [is] my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH [is] my strength and [my] song; he also is become my salvation.

Psalms 70:5

But I [am] poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou [art] my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.

Psalms 40:17

But I [am] poor and needy; [yet] the Lord thinketh upon me: thou [art] my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

Psalms 71:12

O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.

Psalms 62:6

He only [is] my rock and my salvation: [he is] my defence; I shall not be moved.