---
title: "Commentary on the Psalms, Volume 5"
author: "John Calvin"
translator: "James Anderson"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Commentaries"
section: 62 of 159
url: https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-the-psalms-volume-5/62/
cite: "John Calvin, tr. James Anderson, Commentary on the Psalms, Volume 5, section 62. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-the-psalms-volume-5/62/"
---

# Commentary on the Psalms, Volume 5

*John Calvin, tr. James Anderson*

Calvin on the Psalms, volume 5 of 5.

## 62. Psalm 38

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-the-psalms-volume-5/62/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-the-psalms-volume-5/62/#p-N

[¶0] A Psalm of David: to bring to remembrance

[¶1] 1 O Jehovah! do not in thy fury rebuke me, And in thy wrath do not chasten me.

[¶2] 2 For thy arrows go down in me, And descend upon me doth thy hand.

[¶3] 3 There is no soundness in my flesh, because of thy wrath, Nor peace in my bones because of my sin.

[¶4] 4 For my iniquities have passed over my head, Like a burden that is weighty, they are too heavy for me.

[¶5] 5 Putrid [and] corrupt have my wounds become, Because of my foolishness.

[¶6] 6 I am bowed down, I am brought low exceedingly; Day by day a mourner I do walk:

[¶7] 7 For my reins are filled with a burning heat; Nor is there soundness in my flesh.

[¶8] 8 I am enfeebled and broken exceedingly: I have roared through the disquietude of my heart.

[¶9] 9 O Lord! before thee is all my desire, And my groaning from thee is not hidden,

[¶10] 10 My heart hath throbbed, forsaken me hath my strength; And the light of my eyes, it also is gone from me.

[¶11] 11 My friends and my companions aloof from my stroke have stood, And my kinsmen afar off have stood.

[¶12] 12 And they have laid snares who sought for my soul; Arid those who sought my hurt have threatened mischiefs; And deceits daily do they meditate.

[¶13] 13 But as for me, like a deaf man I hear not; And I am like a dumb man who openeth not his mouth.

[¶14] 14 And I was as a man who doth not hear, And in whose mouth there are no reproofs.

[¶15] 15 For on thee, O Jehovah! do I wait: Thou wilt answer me, O Lord, my God!

[¶16] 16 For I said, “Lest they should rejoice over me:” At the slipping of my foot against me they magnified themselves,

[¶17] 17 Surely as for me I am ready to halt; And my sorrow is before me continually.

[¶18] 18 Surely my iniquity I declare; I am in consternation because of my sin.

[¶19] 19 But my enemies are living; they are strong; And those are become mighty who hate me wrongfully.

[¶20] 20 And they who requite me evil for good are against me, Because I follow [what is] good.

[¶21] 21 Forsake me not, O Jehovah, my God! Be not far from me.

[¶22] 22 Hasten to my help, O Lord, my salvation!