Psa 38:16 | KingComments | STEP | For the third time, David turns to God ( ). He realizes that the LORD is at work with him. Through his enemies, he experienced the disciplining hand of the LORD. It is clear to him that this is happening as a result of his sin. That sin he confesses ( ). Therefore, he has confidence that the LORD will forgive his sin. The disciplinary rod of God is then no longer needed, and David trusts that the enemy will also disappear. David himself does not listen to the enemies or respond to them, but turns to God because he knows that God answers. In he asked Him not to chasten him in His burning anger. In , he expressed his desire for Him. Now he tells God that he hopes in Him. He even expresses assurance that God will answer. He calls Him “Lord my God”, that is, the sovereign Ruler, Adonai, of the universe is his all-powerful God. David does not speak to his enemies, but speaks about them to God. He asks if God will make sure that his enemies will not rejoice over him anyway ( ). They will rejoice over him and even magnify themselves against him if his foot should slip. And that risk is high. He is in danger to fall, because he is plagued by his sorrow ( ). It is continually before him. He must constantly think of the fact that he is such a great sinner. He is in God’s presence and there he is overwhelmed by his iniquity ( ). He does not cover it up, nor does he excuse himself, but makes it known. He cannot and will not do otherwise. He is troubled by his sin. This tortures him and renders him powerless. This is a sorrow which is according to the will of God ( ). His distress is increased when he looks at his enemies ( ). All seems to be going well for them ( ). They are living life to the fullest and no one is putting any obstacle in their way, not even God. They even become strong. His enemies are also his haters. God rightly chastens him because he has sinned against Him. But his enemies hate him for false reasons, for he has done nothing wrong to them. They do not diminish in number, but become numerous, while he is without strength and stands alone. We see David going back and forth between what God does to him and what his enemies do to him, between the pressure of his sins and the pressure of his enemies. This will also be the case with the believing remnant in the future. They must come to realize that the enemies are the rod of chastisement of God. This remains the case as long as there is no assurance of the forgiveness of sins. Then there is another category: people who repay him evil for good ( ). He has done good to them. Prophetically we see this with the Lord Jesus, Who always did good, and yet they have repaid Him evil for good. They turned against him instead of being grateful to him for that and become his opponents. And this, because he follows what is good. The good is to follow the LORD, Who is the Good (cf. ). But that reminds his enemies too much of God and they don’t want that. They want to live their own lives. Therefore, they want to silence him forever.

‏ Psalms 38:16

Hope

For the third time, David turns to God (Psa 38:15). He realizes that the LORD is at work with him. Through his enemies, he experienced the disciplining hand of the LORD. It is clear to him that this is happening as a result of his sin. That sin he confesses (Psa 38:18). Therefore, he has confidence that the LORD will forgive his sin. The disciplinary rod of God is then no longer needed, and David trusts that the enemy will also disappear.

David himself does not listen to the enemies or respond to them, but turns to God because he knows that God answers. In Psa 38:1 he asked Him not to chasten him in His burning anger. In Psa 38:9, he expressed his desire for Him. Now he tells God that he hopes in Him. He even expresses assurance that God will answer. He calls Him “Lord my God”, that is, the sovereign Ruler, Adonai, of the universe is his all-powerful God.

David does not speak to his enemies, but speaks about them to God. He asks if God will make sure that his enemies will not rejoice over him anyway (Psa 38:16). They will rejoice over him and even magnify themselves against him if his foot should slip. And that risk is high. He is in danger to fall, because he is plagued by his sorrow (Psa 38:17). It is continually before him. He must constantly think of the fact that he is such a great sinner.

He is in God’s presence and there he is overwhelmed by his iniquity (Psa 38:18). He does not cover it up, nor does he excuse himself, but makes it known. He cannot and will not do otherwise. He is troubled by his sin. This tortures him and renders him powerless. This is a sorrow which is according to the will of God (2Cor 7:9).

His distress is increased when he looks at his enemies (Psa 38:19). All seems to be going well for them (Psa 73:2-15). They are living life to the fullest and no one is putting any obstacle in their way, not even God. They even become strong. His enemies are also his haters. God rightly chastens him because he has sinned against Him. But his enemies hate him for false reasons, for he has done nothing wrong to them. They do not diminish in number, but become numerous, while he is without strength and stands alone.

We see David going back and forth between what God does to him and what his enemies do to him, between the pressure of his sins and the pressure of his enemies. This will also be the case with the believing remnant in the future. They must come to realize that the enemies are the rod of chastisement of God. This remains the case as long as there is no assurance of the forgiveness of sins.

Then there is another category: people who repay him evil for good (Psa 38:20). He has done good to them. Prophetically we see this with the Lord Jesus, Who always did good, and yet they have repaid Him evil for good. They turned against him instead of being grateful to him for that and become his opponents. And this, because he follows what is good. The good is to follow the LORD, Who is the Good (cf. Mk 10:17-18). But that reminds his enemies too much of God and they don’t want that. They want to live their own lives. Therefore, they want to silence him forever.