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Psalm 38:1
A Psalm by David, for a memorial. LORD, don’t rebuke me in your wrath, neither chasten me in your hot displeasure.
1A Psalm by David, for a memorial. LORD, don’t rebuke me in your wrath, neither chasten me in your hot displeasure.
2For your arrows have pierced me, your hand presses hard on me.
3There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation, neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin.
Notice
David’s plea names God’s wrath without softening it, facing the fear of divine displeasure while still addressing YHWH as someone to whom he can cry.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
Which troubles you more in David’s plea: being rebuked or facing God’s hot displeasure?
Write on thisWhat would you want to say to God after praying David’s opening words?
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Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 6:1For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments, upon the eight-stringed lyre. A Psalm by David. LORD, don’t rebuke me in your anger, neither discipline me in …Both prayers ask the LORD to withhold rebuke and discipline carried out in anger or wrath.
Isaiah 54:8In overflowing wrath I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting loving kindness I will have mercy on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer.God’s wrath is explicit in both passages; David pleads for restraint, while Isaiah records God’s promise of mercy.
Hebrews 12:5–11You have forgotten the exhortation which reasons with you as with children, “My son, don’t take lightly the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are …Both passages name the Lord’s chastening and rebuke, addressing the distress that can accompany divine correction.
Jeremiah 10:24LORD, correct me, but gently; not in your anger, lest you reduce me to nothing.Both prayers ask the LORD to keep his anger from determining the manner of his correction.
Habakkuk 3:2LORD, I have heard of your fame. I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD. Renew your work in the middle of the years. In the middle of the years make it known. In …Both prayers address the LORD amid the reality of his wrath, seeking mercy within that fearful prospect.
Jeremiah 30:11For I am with you, says the LORD, to save you; for I will make a full end of all the nations where I have scattered you, but I will not make a full end of you; …Both passages concern divine correction: David asks to be spared chastening in wrath, while Jeremiah records God’s commitment to measured correction.
Psalm 70:1For the Chief Musician. By David. A reminder. Hurry, God, to deliver me. Come quickly to help me, LORD.Both psalms bear David’s name and a heading about remembrance, then open with an urgent appeal to God.
Isaiah 27:8In measure, when you send them away, you contend with them. He has removed them with his rough blast in the day of the east wind.Both passages concern God’s severe dealings with people; Isaiah describes measured contention, while David asks to be spared chastening in wrath.
Psalm 88:7Your wrath lies heavily on me. You have afflicted me with all your waves. Selah.God’s wrath is the source of dread in both prayers, whether feared in chastening or described as a crushing weight.
Psalm 88:15–16I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up. While I suffer your terrors, I am distracted.Both speakers address God from a place of dread, naming his hot displeasure or his terrors.
Isaiah 64:9Don’t be furious, LORD. Don’t remember iniquity forever. Look and see, we beg you, we are all your people.Both prayers appeal to the LORD for restraint in anger, speaking to him even while fearing his displeasure.
Deuteronomy 9:19For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure with which the LORD was angry against you to destroy you. But the LORD listened to me that time also.Both passages name the LORD’s hot displeasure as something feared and bring that fear into an appeal to him.
Where this verse fits
Guilt and confession. feeling distant from God.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
Fear of God’s displeasure need not end your prayer. David speaks from within that fear, asking YHWH to spare him rebuke and chastening in wrath.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).