Psalms 38:3

KJV

[There is] no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither [is there any] rest in my bones because of my sin.

KJV (with Strong's)

There is no soundness {H4974} in my flesh {H1320} because {H6440} of thine anger {H2195}; neither is there any rest {H7965} in my bones {H6106} because {H6440} of my sin {H2403}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Your indignation left no part of me intact; my sin made my whole body sick;

Berean Standard Bible

There is no soundness in my body because of Your anger; there is no rest in my bones because of my sin.

American Standard Version

There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine indignation; Neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 38:3 is a profound lament from King David, a penitential cry that vividly portrays the severe physical and spiritual distress he experiences. He attributes his suffering directly to God's righteous anger and his own sin, revealing a deep sense of conviction, brokenness, and the holistic consequences of transgression on the human being. This verse encapsulates the psalmist's recognition that his inner turmoil and outward affliction are not random but are intimately connected to his unconfessed sin and the divine displeasure it incurs.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 38 is titled "A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance," indicating its purpose as a prayer for God to remember the psalmist in his distress, or perhaps for David himself to remember his sin and God's justice. It is one of the seven traditional Penitential Psalms (alongside [Psalms 6](/psalms/6 "Psalm 6 - A Prayer for Mercy in Distress"), [32](/psalms/32 "Psalm 32 - The Blessedness of Forgiveness"), [51](/psalms/51 "Psalm 51 - A Prayer for Cleansing and Restoration"), [102](/psalms/102 "Psalm 102 - A Prayer of an Afflicted Man"), [130](/psalms/130 "Psalm 130 - Out of the Depths"), [143](/psalms/143 "Psalm 143 - A Prayer for Deliverance")), characterized by expressions of sorrow for sin, confession, and earnest pleas for divine mercy and healing. Preceding verses describe David's feeling of being "pierced" by God's arrows and His hand "pressing down" upon him, setting the stage for the physical and spiritual anguish detailed in verse 3. The psalm then continues to describe David's isolation, the scorn of his enemies, and his ultimate hope in God's deliverance, even as he acknowledges his folly and sin throughout the narrative, mirroring the themes found in [Psalm 32](/psalms/32 "Psalm 32 - The Blessedness of Forgiveness").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the specific historical occasion for Psalm 38 is not stated, it aligns with several periods in David's life marked by sin and its consequences, such as his adultery with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of Uriah ([2 Samuel 11-12](/2_samuel/11-12 "2 Samuel 11-12 - David's Sin with Bathsheba and Nathan's Rebuke")) or the census ([2 Samuel 24](/2_samuel/24 "2 Samuel 24 - David's Census and Punishment")). In ancient Israelite thought, there was a strong understanding of cause and effect within the covenant relationship: obedience brought blessing, and disobedience brought curses, often manifesting as physical illness or misfortune. This perspective is clearly articulated in the Mosaic Law, particularly in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses for Obedience and Disobedience"). While not all suffering was directly attributed to specific sin (as seen in the book of Job or [John 9:1-3](/john/9-1-3 "John 9:1-3 - The Man Born Blind")), a penitential psalm like this reflects a profound conviction of personal guilt leading to divine chastisement, a common experience for covenant people.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **The Grievous Consequences of Sin**, explicitly linking David's profound physical ailments ("no soundness in my flesh," "no rest in my bones") to "thine anger" and "my sin." This highlights the biblical truth that sin is not merely a private matter but can have devastating, tangible effects on one's well-being, both internally and externally. Secondly, it emphasizes **Divine Displeasure and Justice**, as the psalmist understands his suffering as a manifestation of God's righteous anger (Hebrew: *zaʻam*), not an arbitrary misfortune, thereby highlighting God's holiness and His just response to human transgression. Lastly, the verse powerfully illustrates **Holistic Suffering**, demonstrating the interconnectedness of the human person. David's spiritual burden of sin manifests as physical pain and a profound lack of peace, showing that sin affects the whole being—body, soul, and spirit. This echoes his similar lament in [Psalm 32:3-4](/psalms/32-3-4 "Psalm 32:3-4 - David's Physical Deterioration from Unconfessed Sin"), where unconfessed sin led to physical deterioration and a profound sense of weariness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Soundness (Hebrew, _mᵉthôm'_):** The KJV phrase "no soundness in my flesh" translates the Hebrew word מְתֹם (mᵉthôm), which, according to the provided data, signifies "wholesomeness" or "soundness." Its absence in David's flesh indicates a complete lack of physical integrity or health, implying a body that is diseased, wounded, or decaying, with no part remaining truly healthy or intact.
* **Anger (Hebrew, _zaʻam'_):** The Hebrew word זַעַם (zaʻam) is defined as "fury (especially of God's displeasure with sin)," "indignation," or "rage." This term conveys a strong, righteous displeasure, not a capricious outburst. David understands his suffering as a direct consequence of God's just response to his sin, a manifestation of His holy character and opposition to unrighteousness.
* **Rest (Hebrew, _shâlôwm'_):** The word translated as "rest" in "neither is there any rest in my bones" is שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm), more commonly rendered as "peace." As per the ground truth, it denotes "welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace." Here, its absence signifies a profound lack of inner tranquility, ease, or relief from deep-seated pain and turmoil. The reference to "bones" emphasizes that this lack of peace penetrates to the very core of his being, suggesting not just physical discomfort but a deep existential and spiritual disquiet.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[There is] no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger":** This clause vividly describes the physical manifestation of David's distress. His body lacks any healthy part, implying widespread illness, wounds, or decay. Crucially, this physical affliction is directly attributed to "thine anger," meaning God's righteous indignation. This highlights a direct correlation, in David's experience, between divine displeasure and physical suffering, emphasizing God's active involvement in the consequences of sin within a covenant relationship.
* **"neither [is there any] rest in my bones because of my sin.":** This second clause deepens the lament, moving beyond superficial physical ailments to a profound, internal lack of peace. "No rest in my bones" indicates a pervasive disquiet that has reached the very core of his being, affecting his entire skeletal structure and, by extension, his spirit. This deep internal turmoil is explicitly linked to "my sin," underscoring his personal culpability and the direct, internal consequence of his transgression. The parallelism between "thine anger" and "my sin" reinforces the idea that his suffering is a just consequence of his actions.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 38:3 employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey the depth of David's suffering and conviction. **Parallelism** is prominent, specifically a form of synonymous parallelism where the two clauses ("no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger" and "neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin") convey similar ideas through different but related imagery, reinforcing the holistic nature of his distress. The phrases "my flesh" and "my bones" serve as examples of **Metonymy**, where a part represents the whole, emphasizing that the suffering affects David's entire being—physical, emotional, and spiritual. The intensity of his description, suggesting a complete lack of "soundness" and "rest," can also be seen as **Hyperbole**, an exaggeration used to underscore the severity and pervasive nature of his affliction. Furthermore, there's a subtle **Personification** of "anger" and "sin" as active agents causing his physical and internal turmoil, highlighting their destructive power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 38:3 profoundly illustrates the biblical understanding of the pervasive and often tangible consequences of sin, not merely as a legal transgression but as a spiritual disease that can impact the entirety of a person. David's experience serves as a stark reminder that sin, especially unconfessed sin, can lead to a profound sense of divine displeasure and a resultant loss of inner peace and physical well-being. It underscores God's holiness and His righteous opposition to sin, yet within the context of a covenant relationship where discipline is often a means of drawing His people back to Himself. This verse invites believers to consider the holistic impact of their choices and to recognize the importance of prompt confession and repentance as a pathway to restoration and renewed fellowship with God.

* [Psalm 32:3-4](/psalms/32-3-4 "Psalm 32:3-4 - David's Physical Deterioration from Unconfessed Sin")
* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Curses for Disobedience in the Covenant")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin is Death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 38:3 calls believers to a deep and honest self-examination regarding the state of their hearts and lives. While not all sickness or distress is a direct result of specific sin, this verse powerfully prompts us to consider if unconfessed sin, unresolved guilt, or a lack of repentance might be contributing to our spiritual, emotional, or even physical burdens. David's raw honesty about the link between his sin and his suffering encourages us to approach God with similar transparency, recognizing that hiding our transgressions only exacerbates our internal turmoil. It reminds us that true peace and "soundness" are often contingent upon walking in integrity and quickly confessing our failures, trusting in God's faithfulness to forgive and restore. This passage serves as a pastoral invitation to embrace the liberating power of confession and to seek holistic well-being through reconciliation with God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's experience in Psalms 38:3 challenge my understanding of the relationship between sin and suffering?**
* **Am I quick to confess my sins to God, or do I tend to allow them to fester and potentially cause inner turmoil or distress?**
* **In what ways might unaddressed spiritual issues or guilt be impacting my physical, emotional, or relational well-being?**

### FAQ
**Is all sickness a direct result of sin, according to the Bible?**

Answer: No, the Bible presents a nuanced view regarding the causes of sickness. While Psalm 38:3 clearly links David's physical and spiritual distress to his sin and God's anger, this is a specific instance of penitential suffering. Other biblical passages demonstrate that sickness can arise from various sources: living in a fallen world ([Romans 8:22](/romans/8-22 "Romans 8:22 - Creation Groans")), for God's sovereign purposes or glory (as seen in the man born blind in [John 9:1-3](/john/9-1-3 "John 9:1-3 - Man Born Blind")), or even as a test of faith (Job). This psalm highlights that sin *can* indeed have tangible, holistic consequences, but it does not establish a universal rule that all illness is a direct punishment for specific transgression. It primarily serves as a reminder of the profound impact of unconfessed sin on one's well-being.

**What does "no rest in my bones" mean beyond physical pain?**

Answer: The phrase "no rest in my bones" signifies a deep, pervasive lack of inner peace and tranquility that extends to the very core of one's being. While it certainly includes physical discomfort, the use of "bones" (often symbolizing the deepest part of a person, their very essence or strength) suggests a profound spiritual and existential disquiet. It implies that the guilt and burden of sin have permeated David's entire being, leaving him without any internal solace, ease, or relief. It's a state of profound spiritual agitation and mental anguish, a direct consequence of his unaddressed sin and the accompanying divine displeasure.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While David's lament in Psalms 38:3 powerfully articulates the holistic consequences of sin and the pain of divine displeasure, its ultimate fulfillment is found in Jesus Christ. David's suffering, though real and deeply felt, was a temporary and personal experience. Christ, however, bore the full weight of human sin and the perfect wrath of God on the cross, experiencing a depth of anguish and separation far beyond anything David could have known. It was through His suffering that the ultimate "soundness" and "rest" became available to humanity. The [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") took upon Himself our infirmities and bore our diseases, and "by his wounds we are healed" ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His Wounds We Are Healed")). Jesus, who "knew no sin, became sin for us" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), suffered the separation from God that our sin deserved, thereby making peace through the blood of His cross ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Making Peace Through His Blood")). He offers true rest for our souls, inviting all who are weary and burdened to come to Him and find peace ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Jesus' Invitation to Rest")). In Christ, the anguish of sin and divine anger is fully absorbed, offering believers not just temporary relief, but eternal soundness and an unshakeable peace that penetrates to the very core of their being.

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 6:2

Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I [am] weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

Psalms 51:8

Make me to hear joy and gladness; [that] the bones [which] thou hast broken may rejoice.

Isaiah 1:5

Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

Isaiah 1:6

From the sole of the foot even unto the head [there is] no soundness in it; [but] wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

Psalms 102:5

By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.

Job 2:7

¶ So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.

Job 2:8

And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.