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Psalm 38:18
For I will declare my iniquity. I will be sorry for my sin.
16For I said, “Don’t let them gloat over me, or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips.”
17For I am ready to fall. My pain is continually before me.
18For I will declare my iniquity. I will be sorry for my sin.
19But my enemies are vigorous and many. Those who hate me without reason are numerous.
20They who give evil for good are also adversaries to me, because I follow what is good.
Notice
Between the threat of falling and the presence of enemies, the speaker resolves to name his own sin and face the sorrow it brings.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What would it mean for you to “declare my iniquity” without hiding behind vague words?
Write on thisHow does the resolve to confess speak to your own response to sorrow over sin?
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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 32:5I acknowledged my sin to you. I didn’t hide my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the LORD, and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah.Both speakers acknowledge their own sin; Psalm 32 also recounts God's forgiveness after confession.
Psalm 51:3For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me.Both speakers own their transgressions, with Psalm 38 expressing sorrow and Psalm 51 describing sin that remains before him.
Proverbs 28:13He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.Both passages speak of admitting sin; Proverbs also names renouncing it and finding mercy.
Job 33:27He sings before men, and says, ‘I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it didn’t profit me.Both speakers acknowledge personal wrongdoing, with Job's speaker also admitting that perverting what was right brought no gain.
Psalm 119:26I declared my ways, and you answered me. Teach me your statutes.Both passages use declaration in prayer: one declares iniquity, and the other declares ways and asks for instruction.
2 Corinthians 7:9I now rejoice, not that you were grieved, but that you were grieved to repentance. For you were grieved in a godly way, that you might suffer loss by us in …Both texts connect sorrow with a response to wrongdoing; Paul names repentance as the outcome of the Corinthians' grief.
Joshua 7:20Achan answered Joshua, and said, “I have truly sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel, and this is what I have done.Both speakers own their sin in words, with Achan naming the LORD as the one against whom he sinned.
2 Corinthians 7:7–11and not by his coming only, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you while he told us of your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me, …Sorrow appears in both texts: Psalm 38 expresses sorrow for sin, while Paul reports the Corinthians' mourning.
Luke 7:38Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them …Psalm 38 names sorrow for sin; Luke describes a woman's tears without stating their cause in this verse.
Job 31:33if like Adam I have covered my transgressions, by hiding my iniquity in my heart,Both passages address disclosure and concealment of sin: Psalm 38 resolves to declare iniquity, while Job describes hiding it.
Psalm 102:10because of your indignation and your wrath; for you have taken me up and thrown me away.Both verses speak from distress; Psalm 38 names personal sin, while Psalm 102 names God's indignation and wrath.
Luke 22:62He went out, and wept bitterly.Psalm 38 states sorrow for sin in words; Luke records bitter tears without an explicit confession in this verse.
Where this verse fits
Guilt and confession.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
Confessing your sin does not mean every accusation against you is true. The speaker admits his wrong while also naming hatred against him as without reason.
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).