Psalms 38:5

KJV

My wounds stink [and] are corrupt because of my foolishness.

KJV (with Strong's)

My wounds {H2250} stink {H887} and are corrupt {H4743}{H8738)} because {H6440} of my foolishness {H200}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I have stinking, festering wounds because of my foolishness.

Berean Standard Bible

My wounds are foul and festering because of my sinful folly.

American Standard Version

My wounds are loathsome and corrupt, Because of my foolishness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 38:5 is a raw and poignant confession from the psalmist, vividly portraying his profound physical and spiritual anguish. He describes his wounds as putrid and decaying, a repulsive state he attributes directly and unequivocally to his own "foolishness"—a term signifying moral folly and sin. This verse underscores the painful reality of personal accountability for one's transgressions and the destructive, often repulsive, nature of sin's consequences.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 38 is one of the seven traditional penitential psalms, a heartfelt lament attributed to King David, characterized by a desperate plea for divine mercy amidst overwhelming suffering. The psalmist describes intense physical illness, the abandonment of friends and family, and the malicious scheming of enemies. Crucially, David perceives his suffering as a direct consequence of divine discipline due to his sin, a theme introduced early in the psalm, as seen in his plea for God not to rebuke him in anger ([Psalms 38:1](/psalms/38-1 "Psalms 38:1 - Do Not Rebuke Me in Anger")). Verse 5 is central to his confession, explicitly linking his physical decay to his "foolishness," setting the stage for further pleas for deliverance and acknowledgment of his unworthiness, yet holding onto hope in God's salvation, as he cries out, "Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!" ([Psalms 38:22](/psalms/38-22 "Psalms 38:22 - Plea for Salvation")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the specific historical event prompting Psalm 38 is not definitively identified, many scholars connect it to periods of profound personal crisis in David's life, such as the aftermath of his sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent rebellion of Absalom, or a severe illness that left him vulnerable. In ancient Israel, there was a strong theological tradition, often termed Deuteronomic theology, that linked obedience to blessing and disobedience (sin) to curses or suffering, as detailed in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses for Obedience and Disobedience"). Thus, severe illness or calamity was frequently interpreted as a sign of divine displeasure or judgment for sin. The graphic imagery of "wounds," "stink," and "corrupt" would have resonated deeply with a society that experienced disease without modern medicine, where such conditions were visible, debilitating, and often socially isolating. The psalmist's confession of "foolishness" reflects a cultural understanding that moral failings were not abstract but had tangible, often physical, consequences.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 38 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it starkly illustrates the **consequences of sin**, demonstrating that moral "foolishness" is not benign but leads to tangible, often painful, and repulsive outcomes, both physically and spiritually. This aligns with the biblical principle that "whatever one sows, that will he also reap" ([Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - The Principle of Sowing and Reaping")). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **personal accountability**, as David does not blame God, fate, or others for his plight, but unequivocally attributes his suffering to his own "foolishness." This posture of humility and self-reflection is a crucial step toward repentance and restoration, echoing the call to confess sins found in passages like [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness")). Thirdly, the verse underscores the profound connection between **physical and spiritual decay**. The "stinking" and "corrupt" wounds are not merely physical ailments but serve as a vivid metaphor for the spiritual putrefaction and moral rot that sin brings, emphasizing how sin can erode one's entire well-being and peace, leading to a state of profound internal distress as described throughout [Psalm 38](/psalms/38 "Psalm 38 - A Penitential Psalm")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wounds (Hebrew, _chabbûwrâh'_):** From the root meaning "to bind," this term refers to a bruise, stripe, or weal, often implying a severe physical affliction resulting from a blow or disease. It denotes a visible mark of injury or chastisement. In this context, it signifies deep, painful physical sores that the psalmist attributes to his own moral failing, making the suffering a direct, tangible consequence of his actions.
* **Stink (Hebrew, _bâʼash'_):** A primitive root meaning "to smell bad" or "to be abhorrent," this word graphically emphasizes the putrid, repulsive, and decaying nature of the wounds. It conveys a strong sense of foulness and decomposition, indicating an advanced state of infection or decay. Metaphorically, it powerfully communicates the moral repulsiveness and spiritual decay that sin inflicts upon the soul and life of the one committing it, making it abhorrent both to the individual and to God.
* **Foolishness (Hebrew, _ʼivveleth'_):** More than a mere intellectual deficiency, _ʼivveleth_ signifies moral folly, perversity, or wickedness. It describes a deliberate turning away from divine wisdom, righteousness, and truth, leading to sinful behavior and destructive outcomes. It implies a moral bankruptcy, a lack of spiritual discernment that results in actions contrary to God's will, ultimately bringing about suffering, ruin, and the "wounds" described by the psalmist.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"My wounds stink":** This clause immediately presents a visceral and repulsive image of the psalmist's physical condition. The wounds are not merely present but are actively decaying, emitting a foul odor, indicating a severe and advanced state of illness or injury. This conveys profound physical distress and perhaps social ostracization due to the repulsive nature of his ailment, highlighting the severity of his suffering.
* **"[and] are corrupt":** This phrase intensifies the preceding description, emphasizing the putrefaction and decay of the wounds. The KJV's addition of "and" clarifies the parallel nature of the two descriptions, indicating that the wounds are not only malodorous but also in a state of deep-seated physical deterioration. This paints a picture of extreme suffering and the destructive power of his condition, suggesting a process of internal breakdown.
* **"because of my foolishness":** This is the pivotal causal statement of the verse, providing the theological explanation for the psalmist's suffering. The psalmist directly attributes his repulsive physical state not to random misfortune or external factors, but to his own moral folly, his sinful choices, and his turning away from God's wisdom. This powerful confession underscores personal responsibility and the direct, painful consequences of sin, forming the core of his lament.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Metaphor** is central, as the physical "wounds" that "stink" and "are corrupt" serve as a vivid representation of the spiritual decay and moral consequences of sin. This imagery externalizes the internal rot caused by "foolishness," making an abstract concept tangible and repulsive. The strong, sensory language of "stink" and "corrupt" also functions as **hyperbole**, exaggerating the repulsiveness of the wounds to emphasize the profound misery and the abhorrent nature of the sin that caused them. As part of a lament psalm, the verse is a direct and personal **confession**, a genre in which the speaker acknowledges their guilt and expresses deep distress. Finally, the explicit "because of" clause establishes a clear **cause and effect** relationship, linking the psalmist's moral failing directly to his physical suffering, a common theological framework in much of the Old Testament that emphasizes divine justice and the consequences of human actions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 38:5 offers a stark theological truth: sin, here termed "foolishness," carries tangible and often repulsive consequences. It challenges the notion that our moral choices are without impact, asserting instead that they can lead to profound spiritual and even physical decay. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's justice, where actions have repercussions, and it underscores the importance of personal accountability before a holy God. While not every instance of suffering is a direct result of specific sin, this psalm highlights the reality that our "foolishness"—our deliberate turning away from God's wisdom—can indeed wound us deeply, leaving us in a state of spiritual and moral corruption that is as repulsive to God as a putrid wound is to human senses. It calls us to introspection, recognizing that true healing begins with acknowledging our own culpability and turning back to the source of all wisdom and life.

* [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping")
* [Proverbs 14:16](/proverbs/14-16 "Proverbs 14:16 - The Wise and the Fool")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 38:5 compels us to confront the uncomfortable truth that our own "foolishness"—our sinful choices and deliberate disregard for God's wisdom—can lead to profound and painful consequences, manifesting as "wounds" that "stink and are corrupt" in our lives. This verse is a call to radical honesty and humility, urging us to look inward and identify the areas where we have strayed from God's path, rather than blaming external circumstances or others for our struggles. Like David, we are invited to take full responsibility for our spiritual and moral condition, recognizing that true repentance begins with acknowledging our own culpability. This introspection is not meant to condemn but to pave the way for genuine healing and restoration. When we confess our "foolishness," we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's grace, allowing Him to cleanse the spiritual "corruption" and heal the "wounds" that our sin has inflicted, leading us back to wholeness and peace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might "foolishness" (moral folly or sin) be causing spiritual, emotional, or relational "wounds"?**
* **Am I quick to blame circumstances or others for my struggles, or do I humbly acknowledge my own responsibility, as David did?**
* **What steps can I take to confess my "foolishness" to God and seek His healing and restoration, trusting in His mercy?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean all suffering is a direct result of personal sin?**

Answer: While Psalms 38:5 explicitly links the psalmist's suffering to *his own* "foolishness" (sin), the Bible presents a nuanced view of suffering. Not all suffering is a direct punishment for specific personal sin. For example, the book of Job challenges this simplistic cause-and-effect, and Jesus Himself corrected the assumption that a man's blindness was due to his or his parents' sin, stating it was "so that the works of God might be displayed in him" ([John 9:1-3](/john/9-1-3 "John 9:1-3 - The Man Born Blind")). However, sin *does* have natural, often painful, consequences, and this verse powerfully highlights that reality for the psalmist. It serves as a vital reminder of personal accountability and the destructive nature of sin, but it should not be applied universally to every instance of suffering.

**What is the difference between "foolishness" here and simple lack of intelligence?**

Answer: The Hebrew word _ʼivveleth_ (אִוֶּלֶת) translated as "foolishness" in this context refers to moral and spiritual folly, not intellectual or academic deficiency. It describes a stubborn refusal to acknowledge God's wisdom and follow His ways, a deliberate choice to live contrary to divine truth. This kind of "foolishness" leads to sinful actions and destructive outcomes because it involves a rejection of righteousness and a lack of spiritual discernment, often leading to actions that are self-destructive or harmful to others. It is a moral bankruptcy that results in self-inflicted harm, distinct from a mere absence of knowledge or intelligence, and is often contrasted with the wisdom that comes from fearing the Lord ([Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 38:5, with its raw depiction of sin's repulsive "wounds" and "corruption" stemming from human "foolishness," finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. Humanity's deepest wound is not merely physical, but the spiritual decay caused by sin, a "foolishness" that alienated us from God and left us "dead in trespasses and sins" ([Ephesians 2:1](/ephesians/2-1 "Ephesians 2:1 - Dead in Sins")). Yet, unlike David, whose wounds were *because of* his own foolishness, Jesus, the sinless Son of God, bore our "wounds" and "corruption" *for us*. He took upon Himself the full stench and putrefaction of our sin, becoming "sin for us, who knew no sin, 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")). The prophet Isaiah foretold that by His "wounds" (or stripes), we would be healed ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His Wounds We Are Healed")), a prophecy directly applied to Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross, where He "bore our sins in His body on the tree" ([1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins")). He is the ultimate wisdom of God, counteracting our inherent foolishness and providing a new way of life ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom")). Through His death and resurrection, Christ offers not merely relief from symptoms, but a complete cleansing from the "stink" and "corruption" of sin, providing true healing, forgiveness, and a path to reconciliation with God for all who confess their foolishness and turn to Him in faith ([Acts 3:19](/acts/3-19 "Acts 3:19 - Repentance and Refreshing")).

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

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.

Jeremiah 8:22

[Is there] no balm in Gilead; [is there] no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?

Psalms 69:5

O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.

Psalms 38:7

For my loins are filled with a loathsome [disease]: and [there is] no soundness in my flesh.

Psalms 32:3

When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.