17 For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me.
17 For I am ready to fall, and my pain is ever before me.
17 I'm on the edge of losing it - the pain in my gut keeps burning.
17 For I am ready to fall, And my sorrow is continually before me.
17 I am on the verge of collapse, facing constant pain.
10 For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,
10 For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together.
10 For my enemies speak concerning me; those who watch for my life consult together
10 My enemies are talking behind my back, watching for their chance to knife me.
10 For my enemies speak against me; And those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together,
10 For my enemies are whispering against me. They are plotting together to kill me.
(Read Psalm 71:1-13)
David prays that he might never be made ashamed of dependence upon God. With this petition every true believer may come boldly to the throne of grace. The gracious care of Divine providence in our birth and infancy, should engage us to early piety. He that was our Help from our birth, ought to be our Hope from our youth. Let none expect ease or comfort from the world. Those who love the Lord, often are hated and persecuted; men wondered at for their principles and conduct; but the Lord has been their strong refuge. The faithful servants of God may be assured that he will not cast them off in old age, nor forsake them when their strength fails.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 38:17
Commentary on Psalm 38:12-22
(Read Psalm 38:12-22)
Wicked men hate goodness, even when they benefit by it. David, in the complaints he makes of his enemies, seems to refer to Christ. But our enemies do us real mischief only when they drive us from God and our duty. The true believer's trouble will be made useful; he will learn to wait for his God, and will not seek relief from the world or himself. The less we notice the unkindness and injuries that are done us, the more we consult the quiet of our own minds. David's troubles were the chastisement and the consequence of his transgressions, whilst Christ suffered for our sins and ours only. What right can a sinner have to yield to impatience or anger, when mercifully corrected for his sins? David was very sensible of the present workings of corruption in him. Good men, by setting their sorrow continually before them, have been ready to fall; but by setting God always before them, they have kept their standing. If we are truly penitent for sin, that will make us patient under affliction. Nothing goes nearer to the heart of a believer when in affliction, than to be under the apprehension of God's deserting him; nor does any thing come more feelingly from his heart than this prayer, "Be not far from me." The Lord will hasten to help those who trust in him as their salvation.