Psalms 38:17

For I [am] ready to halt, and my sorrow [is] continually before me.

For I am ready {H3559} to halt {H6761}, and my sorrow {H4341} is continually {H8548} before me.

For I am about to fall, and my pain is always with me.

For I am ready to fall, and my pain is ever with me.

For I am ready to fall, And my sorrow is continually before me.

Commentary

Psalm 38:17 captures King David's profound sense of vulnerability and persistent distress as he laments his physical ailments, the abandonment of friends, and the attacks of his enemies. This verse is a poignant expression of human frailty in the face of overwhelming suffering.

Context

Psalm 38 is one of the seven penitential psalms, traditionally attributed to David, where he expresses deep contrition for sin and pleads for God's mercy and healing. The psalm paints a vivid picture of severe physical illness (vv. 3-8) which he connects to his sin, as well as the emotional pain of being forsaken by loved ones (vv. 11-12) and maliciously pursued by adversaries (vv. 19-20). In verse 17, David articulates his desperate state, feeling on the brink of collapse, with his sorrow as an unceasing companion. This backdrop of intense personal suffering and spiritual introspection is crucial for understanding the depth of his plea.

Meaning and Key Themes

  • Extreme Vulnerability and Frailty: The phrase "I am ready to halt" powerfully conveys David's feeling of being at the point of stumbling, falling, or completely collapsing. It speaks to a profound physical weakness or spiritual exhaustion, where he feels incapable of standing firm. This highlights the human condition of frailty and dependence on divine strength.
  • Persistent and Overwhelming Sorrow: "My sorrow is continually before me" emphasizes the relentless nature of his distress. It's not a fleeting sadness but an ever-present burden that dominates his thoughts and experience. This reflects the reality of deep, chronic suffering, whether from illness, emotional pain, or external attacks.
  • Despair and the Need for Divine Intervention: While expressing deep despair, the psalm, and particularly this verse, serves as a desperate cry for God's intervention. David, despite his weakness, ultimately places his hope in the Lord, articulating his helplessness before Him. This theme resonates with other psalms where the psalmist encourages his soul to hope in God even in the midst of turmoil.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "halt" is tsela (צֶלַע), which literally means a "limp" or "stumble." In this context, it signifies being on the verge of falling or giving way, emphasizing David's precarious physical and emotional state. The word for "sorrow" is mak'ob (מַכְאוֹב), a strong term denoting intense pain, suffering, or grief. Its continual presence underscores the depth and constancy of David's anguish, making it an ever-present reality in his life.

Practical Application

Psalm 38:17 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Permission to Acknowledge Weakness: David's honesty about being "ready to halt" reminds us that it is acceptable, even necessary, to acknowledge our own weaknesses and vulnerabilities before God. We don't always have to be strong; God's strength is often made perfect in our weakness.
  • Understanding Persistent Suffering: This verse validates the experience of those who endure long-term or continual sorrow, whether due to chronic illness, grief, or ongoing trials. It shows that such experiences are not uncommon in the lives of faithful individuals.
  • Turning to God in Despair: Even when feeling utterly overwhelmed and on the verge of collapse, David's ultimate recourse is to God. This verse, within the larger context of the psalm, encourages us to cast our burdens upon the Lord, who cares for us (1 Peter 5:7), and to find solace and strength in His presence, even when sorrow seems unending.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 35:15 (7 votes)

    But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: [yea], the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew [it] not; they did tear [me], and ceased not:

  • Psalms 38:6 (6 votes)

    I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.

  • Psalms 6:6 (5 votes)

    I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.

  • Isaiah 53:3 (5 votes)

    He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

  • Isaiah 53:5 (5 votes)

    But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

  • Micah 4:6 (5 votes)

    In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted;

  • Micah 4:7 (5 votes)

    And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.