Psalm 38:1 Study Bible: [A Psalm by David, for a memorial.] LORD, do not rebuke me in your wrath, neither chasten me in your hot displeasure.

◄ Psalm 38:1 ►

O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger or discipline me in Your wrath.

O LORD
The term "LORD" in this context is derived from the Hebrew "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God, often vocalized as Yahweh. This name signifies God's eternal existence and His covenantal relationship with His people. It is a reminder of His sovereignty and faithfulness. In calling upon the LORD, the psalmist acknowledges God's supreme authority and seeks His personal attention and intervention.

do not rebuke me
The Hebrew word for "rebuke" is "yākah," which can mean to correct or reprove. In the biblical context, rebuke is often associated with God's righteous judgment and correction of His people. The psalmist is aware of his sinfulness and is pleading for mercy rather than the full measure of divine correction. This plea reflects a deep understanding of human frailty and the need for God's grace.

in Your anger
"Anger" here is translated from the Hebrew word "ʾaph," which can also mean "nostrils" or "face," metaphorically describing the flaring of nostrils in anger. This anthropomorphic expression conveys the intensity of God's righteous indignation against sin. The psalmist is acutely aware of the seriousness of invoking God's anger and seeks to avoid the consequences of divine displeasure.

or discipline me
The word "discipline" comes from the Hebrew "yāsar," which means to chasten or instruct. Discipline in the biblical sense is not merely punitive but is intended for correction and growth. The psalmist recognizes the necessity of divine discipline but pleads for it to be administered with mercy. This reflects a heart that is open to learning and transformation under God's guidance.

in Your wrath
"Wrath" is translated from the Hebrew "ḥēmâ," indicating a fierce and burning anger. It is often associated with God's response to persistent disobedience and rebellion. The psalmist's plea to be spared from God's wrath underscores the gravity of sin and the earnest desire for reconciliation and restoration. It is a humble acknowledgment of God's holiness and the need for His compassionate intervention.

Persons / Places / Events

1. David
Traditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 38, David is expressing a deep sense of personal anguish and seeking God's mercy.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal presence and faithfulness to His people.

3. Rebuke and Discipline
These terms reflect God's corrective actions, which David is pleading to be tempered with mercy.

4. Anger and Wrath
These are expressions of God's righteous indignation against sin, which David fears due to his own transgressions.

Teaching Points

Understanding God's Discipline
Recognize that God's discipline is an expression of His love and desire for our growth, not merely punishment.

Approaching God with Humility
Like David, we should approach God with a humble heart, acknowledging our sins and seeking His mercy.

The Balance of Justice and Mercy
God's character embodies both justice and mercy. We should strive to understand and reflect these attributes in our own lives.

The Role of Repentance
True repentance involves a heartfelt turning away from sin and a sincere plea for God's forgiveness and guidance.

Trusting in God's Character
Even when facing discipline, trust in God's unchanging nature and His ultimate plan for our good.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does understanding the original Hebrew context of "rebuke" and "discipline" enhance our comprehension of this verse?

2. In what ways can we see God's discipline as an act of love in our own lives, similar to the message in Hebrews 12:5-6?

3. How can we balance the fear of God's wrath with the assurance of His mercy, as demonstrated by David in this Psalm?

4. What practical steps can we take to approach God with humility and repentance, following David's example?

5. How can we apply the principles of God's justice and mercy in our interactions with others, reflecting His character in our daily lives?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Psalm 6:1
This verse echoes a similar plea from David, asking God not to rebuke him in anger, highlighting a recurring theme of seeking God's mercy.

Hebrews 12:5-6
This passage discusses God's discipline as an act of love, providing a New Testament perspective on the purpose of divine correction.

Proverbs 3:11-12
These verses advise not to despise the Lord's discipline, reinforcing the idea that God's correction is for our benefit.

Sermons

A Fearful Picture of the Sufferings Which a Great Sin Can Cause	C. Short	Psalm 38:1-22
Great Personal Affliction	Homilist	Psalm 38:1-22
Sin Stinging Like an Adder	C. Clemance	Psalm 38:1-22
Things to be Remembered		Psalm 38:1-22
Thoughts in Affliction	W. Forsyth	Psalm 38:1-22

People

David, Jeduthun, Psalmist

Places

Jerusalem

Topics

Anger, 38, Bitter, Bring, Burning, Cause, Chasten, Chastise, David, Discipline, Displeasure, Fury, Gt, Heat, Hot, Lt, Memorial, Memory, O, Offering, Passion, Petition, Psalm, Rebuke, Remember, Remembrance, Reprove, Wrath

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Psalm 38:

8610 prayer, asking God

Psalm 38:1-4

6740 returning to God

Psalm 38:1-14

8713 discouragement

Psalm 38:1-22

5888 inferiority

Library

"Come unto Me, all Ye that Labour, and are Wearied," &C.
Matth. xi. 28.--"Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are wearied," &c. It is the great misery of Christians in this life, that they have such poor, narrow, and limited spirits, that are not fit to receive the truth of the gospel in its full comprehension; from whence manifold misapprehensions in judgment, and stumbling in practice proceed. The beauty and life of things consist in their entire union with one another, and in the conjunction of all their parts. Therefore it would not be a fit way …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Question Lxxxii of Devotion
I. Is Devotion a Special Kind of Act? Cardinal Cajetan, On the Meaning of the Term "Devotion" S. Augustine, Confessions, XIII. viii. 2 II. Is Devotion an Act of the Virtue of Religion? III. Is Contemplation, that is Meditation, the Cause of Devotion? Cardinal Cajetan, On the Causes of Devotion " " On the Devotion of Women IV. Is Joy an Effect of Devotion? Cardinal Cajetan, On Melancholy S. Augustine, Confessions, II. x. I Is Devotion a Special Kind of Act? It is by our acts that we merit. But …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

Out of the Deep of Suffering and Sorrow.
Save me, O God, for the waters are come in even unto my soul: I am come into deep waters; so that the floods run over me.--Ps. lxix. 1, 2. I am brought into so great trouble and misery: that I go mourning all the day long.--Ps. xxxviii. 6. The sorrows of my heart are enlarged: Oh! bring Thou me out of my distress.--Ps. xxv. 17. The Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping: the Lord will receive my prayer.--Ps. vi. 8. In the multitude of the sorrows which I had in my heart, Thy comforts have refreshed …
Charles Kingsley—Out of the Deep

Christ's Resurrection Song.
WHEN the blessed Lord appeared in the midst of His disciples and they beheld the risen One in His glorified body of flesh and bones and He ate before them, He told them that all things which were written in the Law of Moses, and the Prophets and in the Psalms concerning Him, had to be fulfilled (Luke xxiv:44). While on the way to Emmaus He said to the two sorrowing and perplexed disciples "Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory? And beginning at Moses and all …
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

The Acceptable Sacrifice;
OR, THE EXCELLENCY OF A BROKEN HEART: SHOWING THE NATURE, SIGNS, AND PROPER EFFECTS OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT. BEING THE LAST WORKS OF THAT EMINENT PREACHER AND FAITHFUL MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST, MR. JOHN BUNYAN, OF BEDFORD. WITH A PREFACE PREFIXED THEREUNTO BY AN EMINENT MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL IN LONDON. London: Sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgates, 1692. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The very excellent preface to this treatise, written by George Cokayn, will inform the reader of …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Question Lxxxiii of Prayer
I. Is Prayer an Act of the Appetitive Powers? Cardinal Cajetan, On Prayer based on Friendship II. Is it Fitting to Pray? Cardinal Cajetan, On Prayer as a True Cause S. Augustine, On the Sermon on the Mount, II. iii. 14 " On the Gift of Perseverance, vii. 15 III. Is Prayer an Act of the Virtue of Religion? Cardinal Cajetan, On the Humility of Prayer S. Augustine, On Psalm cii. 10 " Of the Gift of Perseverance, xvi. 39 IV. Ought We to Pray to God Alone? S. Augustine, Sermon, cxxvii. 2 V. …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

His Past Work.
His past work was accomplished by Him when he became incarnate. It was finished when He died on Calvary's cross. We have therefore to consider first of all these fundamentals of our faith. I. The Work of the Son of God is foreshadowed and predicted in the Old Testament Scriptures. II. The incarnation of the Son of God. III. His Work on the cross and what has been accomplished by it. I. Through the Old Testament Scriptures, God announced beforehand the work of His Son. This is a great theme and one …
A. C. Gaebelein—The Work Of Christ

What Manner of Man Ought not to Come to Rule.
Wherefore let every one measure himself wisely, lest he venture to assume a place of rule, while in himself vice still reigns unto condemnation; lest one whom his own guilt depraves desire to become an intercessor for the faults of others. For on this account it is said to Moses by the supernal voice, Speak unto Aaron; Whosoever he be of thy seed throughout their generations that hath a blemish, he shall not offer loaves of bread to the Lord his God (Lev. xxi. 17). And it is also immediately subjoined; …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Third Sunday after Trinity Humility, Trust, Watchfulness, Suffering
Text: 1 Peter 5, 5-11. 5 Likewise, ye younger, be subject unto the elder. Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; 7 casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 whom withstand stedfast …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Cæsarius of Arles.
He was born in the district of Chalons-sur-Saone, A. D. 470. He seems to have been early awakened, by a pious education, to vital Christianity. When he was between seven and eight years old, it would often happen that he would give a portion of his clothes to the poor whom he met, and would say, when he came home, that he had been, constrained to do so. When yet a youth, he entered the celebrated convent on the island of Lerins, (Lerina,) in Provence, from which a spirit of deep and practical piety …
Augustus Neander—Light in the Dark Places

Christian Meekness
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth Matthew 5:5 We are now got to the third step leading in the way to blessedness, Christian meekness. Blessed are the meek'. See how the Spirit of God adorns the hidden man of the heart, with multiplicity of graces! The workmanship of the Holy Ghost is not only curious, but various. It makes the heart meek, pure, peaceable etc. The graces therefore are compared to needlework, which is different and various in its flowers and colours (Psalm 45:14). …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Notes on the Third Century
Page 161. Line 1. He must be born again, &c. This is a compound citation from John iii. 3, and Mark x. 15, in the order named. Page 182. Line 17. For all things should work together, &c. See Romans viii. 28. Page 184. Lines 10-11. Being Satan is able, &c. 2 Corinthians xi. 14. Page 184. Last line. Like a sparrow, &c. Psalm cii. Page 187. Line 1. Mechanisms. This word is, in the original MS., mechanicismes.' Page 187. Line 7. Like the King's daughter, &c. Psalm xlv. 14. Page 188. Med. 39. The best …
Thomas Traherne—Centuries of Meditations

How is Christ, as the Life, to be Applied by a Soul that Misseth God's Favour and Countenance.
The sixth case, that we shall speak a little to, is a deadness, occasioned by the Lord's hiding of himself, who is their life, and "the fountain of life," Ps. xxxvi. 9, and "whose loving-kindness is better than life," Ps. lxiii. 3, and "in whose favour is their life," Ps. xxx. 5. A case, which the frequent complaints of the saints manifest to be rife enough, concerning which we shall, 1. Shew some of the consequences of the Lord's hiding his face, whereby the soul's case will appear. 2. Shew the …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also-
OR, A DISCOURSE TOUCHING PRAYER; WHEREIN IS BRIEFLY DISCOVERED, 1. WHAT PRAYER IS. 2. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT. 3. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT AND WITH THE UNDERSTANDING ALSO. WRITTEN IN PRISON, 1662. PUBLISHED, 1663. "For we know not what we should pray for as we ought:--the Spirit--helpeth our infirmities" (Rom 8:26). ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. There is no subject of more solemn importance to human happiness than prayer. It is the only medium of intercourse with heaven. "It is …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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