Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

PSALM 38: I CONFESS MY SINS The Agony of the Convicted Heart

This psalm of David was written after his adultery with Bathsheba and it is a penetrating study of the spiritual, emotional, relational and physical results of sin. It describes the crushing conviction of God and the release that is brought about by confession and forgiveness. It is thought to have been one of four psalms that were composed during this dark moment in David’s life; Psalm 6 being the first, then 38, 51 and 32 1 . The Psalm is divided into 3 sections each beginning with an earnest cry to God:

I. PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL EFFECTS OF SIN - 1-8 II. PEOPLE AFFECTED BY SIN - 9-14 III. PRAYER OF CONFESSION - 15-22

Three names of God are found in this Psalm: Yahweh in verse 1; Adonai in verse 9; Yahweh, Adonai and Elohim in verse 15 and in verses 21, 22. The use of the three names of God is a faint hint of the Trinity who is involved in bringing mankind to repentance and renewal. In the Book of Psalms is the dawn of the revelation of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit that finds its full light in the New Testament writ- ings.

INTRODUCTION:

“ A psalm of David, to bring us to the Lord’s remembrance.

”The word for psalm in this title means ‘short, symmetrically laid out sentences with regular inter- vals 2 ’ that is the style of this song. This is also the title of Psalm 70. This prayer of repentance reminds us of the Lord’s Supper, “ This is my body, which is given for you.…do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” (1 Cor. 11:24,25) We are never to forget the price Jesus paid to offer us forgiveness for our sins.

We will either remember our sins or our savior.

I. PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL EFFECTS OF SIN - 1-8

“ O Lord, (Yahweh) don’t rebuke me in your anger! Don’t discipline me in your rage!” (1)

In the new covenant we have a place of sure forgiveness as the anger and rage of God against sin was poured out upon Jesus on the cross. “ For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God’s anger against us.” (Rom. 3:25) The spiritual and physical effects of conviction upon David’s life are presented next: • Spiritual- “ Your arrows have struck deep, and your blows are crushing me.”(2) The conviction of the Holy Spirit has struck his heart like an arrow; every day he is reminded of his sin as the hand of God presses against him. “ And when he (the Holy Spirit) comes, he will convince the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.”(John 16:8) • Physical- “ Because of your anger, my whole body is sick; my health is broken because of my sins.(3) All physical sickness is ultimately a result of sin infecting the human race. Not all illnesses are a result of a specific sin, but many times our transgressions open the door to a loss of health. • Spiritual- “ My guilt overwhelms me-it is a burden too heavy to bear.”(4) Mankind was never designed to carry the guilt of sin as it destroys us completely. Jesus offered the remedy to this heavy burden: “ Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Mt. 11:28) • Physical- “ My wounds fester and stink because of my foolish sins. I am bent over and racked with pain. (5,6)

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