Psalms 38:3
Psalms 38:3 in Multiple Translations
There is no soundness in my body because of Your anger; there is no rest in my bones because of my sin.
There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.
There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine indignation; Neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin.
My flesh is wasted because of your wrath; and there is no peace in my bones because of my sin.
Because you're so upset with me, not a single part of my body is healthy; I am completely sick because of my sins.
There is nothing sound in my flesh, because of thine anger: neither is there rest in my bones because of my sinne.
Soundness is not in my flesh, Because of Thine indignation, Peace is not in my bones because of my sin.
There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation, neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin.
There is no soundness in my flesh because of thy anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.
I was dumb, and was humbled, and kept silence from good things: and my sorrow was renewed.
Because you have been angry with me, I am suffering great pain. Because of my sin, my whole body is diseased.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 38:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 38:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּֽי
חִ֭צֶּי/ךָ
נִ֣חֲתוּ
בִ֑/י
וַ/תִּנְחַ֖ת
עָלַ֣/י
יָדֶֽ/ךָ
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
חִ֭צֶּי/ךָ
chêts
H2671
arrow
N-mp | Suff
נִ֣חֲתוּ
nâchath
H5181
to descend
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
בִ֑/י
Prep | Suff
וַ/תִּנְחַ֖ת
nâchath
H5181
to descend
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
עָלַ֣/י
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
יָדֶֽ/ךָ
yâd
H3027
hand
N-cs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 38:3
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
חִ֭צֶּי/ךָ
chêts
H2671
"arrow"
N-mp | Suff
An arrow is a sharp object shot from a bow, used for hunting or battle, like those used by archers in the book of Judges. It can also symbolize God's powerful judgment.
Definition: arrow
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] archer, arrow, dart, shaft, staff, wound. See also: Genesis 49:23; Psalms 91:5; Psalms 7:14.
נִ֣חֲתוּ
nâchath
H5181
"to descend"
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go down or descend, like going down a mountain or into a valley. It can also mean to press down or be broken. It appears in various forms, such as when the Israelites went down to Egypt.
Definition: 1) to go down, descend 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go down, descend 1a2) to descend, descend into (chastisement) (fig.) 1b) (Niphal) to come down into, penetrate 1c) (Piel) to cause to descend, press down, stretch (a bow) 1d) (Hiphil) to bring down Aramaic equivalent: ne.chat (נְחֵת "to descend" H5182)
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: be broken, (cause to) come down, enter, go down, press sore, settle, stick fast. See also: 1 Samuel 2:10; Psalms 38:3; Psalms 18:35.
בִ֑/י
""
Prep | Suff
וַ/תִּנְחַ֖ת
nâchath
H5181
"to descend"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go down or descend, like going down a mountain or into a valley. It can also mean to press down or be broken. It appears in various forms, such as when the Israelites went down to Egypt.
Definition: 1) to go down, descend 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go down, descend 1a2) to descend, descend into (chastisement) (fig.) 1b) (Niphal) to come down into, penetrate 1c) (Piel) to cause to descend, press down, stretch (a bow) 1d) (Hiphil) to bring down Aramaic equivalent: ne.chat (נְחֵת "to descend" H5182)
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: be broken, (cause to) come down, enter, go down, press sore, settle, stick fast. See also: 1 Samuel 2:10; Psalms 38:3; Psalms 18:35.
עָלַ֣/י
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
יָדֶֽ/ךָ
yâd
H3027
"hand"
N-cs | Suff
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.
Study Notes — Psalms 38:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 38:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 38:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 38:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 38:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 38:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 38:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 38:3
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 38:3
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 38:3
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 38:3
- Sermons on Psalms 38:3
Context — Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger
1O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger or discipline me in Your wrath.
2For Your arrows have pierced me deeply, and Your hand has pressed down on me.
3There is no soundness in my body because of Your anger; there is no rest in my bones because of my sin.
4For my iniquities have overwhelmed me; they are a burden too heavy to bear. 5My wounds are foul and festering because of my sinful folly.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 6:2 | Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am frail; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are in agony. |
| 2 | Psalms 51:8 | Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice. |
| 3 | Psalms 31:9–10 | Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes fail from sorrow, my soul and body as well. For my life is consumed with grief and my years with groaning; my iniquity has drained my strength, and my bones are wasting away. |
| 4 | Isaiah 1:5–6 | Why do you want more beatings? Why do you keep rebelling? Your head has a massive wound, and your whole heart is afflicted. From the sole of your foot to the top of your head, there is no soundness— only wounds and welts and festering sores neither cleansed nor bandaged nor soothed with oil. |
| 5 | Psalms 90:7–8 | For we are consumed by Your anger and terrified by Your wrath. You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence. |
| 6 | Psalms 102:5 | Through my loud groaning my flesh clings to my bones. |
| 7 | Lamentations 3:40–42 | Let us examine and test our ways, and turn back to the LORD. Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven: “We have sinned and rebelled; You have not forgiven.” |
| 8 | Job 33:19–22 | A man is also chastened on his bed with pain and constant distress in his bones, so that he detests his bread, and his soul loathes his favorite food. His flesh wastes away from sight, and his hidden bones protrude. He draws near to the Pit, and his life to the messengers of death. |
| 9 | Job 2:7–8 | So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and infected Job with terrible boils from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. And Job took a piece of broken pottery to scrape himself as he sat among the ashes. |
| 10 | 2 Chronicles 26:19 | Uzziah, with a censer in his hand to offer incense, was enraged. But while he raged against the priests in their presence in the house of the LORD before the altar of incense, leprosy broke out on his forehead. |
Psalms 38:3 Summary
This verse means that when we sin, it can affect our whole being, including our physical bodies. The psalmist is saying that because of God's anger towards his sin, he feels weak and sick all over, and because of his own sin, he can't find any peace or rest (as seen in Psalms 38:3). This is similar to what we see in Proverbs 28:13, where it says that whoever conceals their sins will not prosper. But the good news is that God is always ready to forgive and heal us when we turn to Him, as seen in Psalm 103:3, where it says that God forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to have 'no soundness' in my body because of God's anger?
This phrase suggests that the psalmist's physical health is suffering as a result of God's judgment, as seen in Psalms 38:3, and is reminiscent of the consequences of sin described in Deuteronomy 28:22.
How can my sin affect my physical body?
The Bible teaches that sin can have physical consequences, as seen in Psalms 38:3, and that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, as described in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
Is it normal to feel overwhelmed by my sin?
Yes, it is normal to feel the weight of our sin, as the psalmist does in Psalms 38:3-4, and as described in Psalm 51:3, where David cries out to God for forgiveness and cleansing.
How can I find rest in my bones when I am struggling with sin?
The Bible encourages us to confess our sins to God, as seen in 1 John 1:9, and to trust in His forgiveness and mercy, as described in Psalm 103:12, in order to find rest and peace.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I have experienced physical or emotional suffering as a result of my sin?
- How can I apply the psalmist's cry for forgiveness and healing to my own life?
- What are some areas of my life where I feel 'no rest' or 'no soundness', and how can I seek God's healing and restoration in those areas?
- In what ways can I trust in God's goodness and mercy, even when I am struggling with the consequences of my sin?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 38:3
[There is] no soundness in my flesh, because of thine anger,.... Such was the nature of the affliction the psalmist laboured under, and which he took to be an effect of the anger of God towards him,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 38:3
There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. Neither is there any rest ( shaalowm (H7965); peace or soundness) in my bones, because of my sin.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 38:3
My disease or grief hath seized upon all the parts of my body, my very bones not excepted, so that my bed can give me no rest; because of my sin, which hath provoked thee to deal, thus severely with me.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 38:3
Psalms 38:3 [There is] no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither [is there any] rest in my bones because of my sin.Ver. 3. There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger] This was the immediate cause of David’ s misery, it came from love displeased; and scandalous sins seldom scape better. But, blessed be our Almighty physician, who bringeth health out of sickness, by bringing thereby the body of death into a consumption. Neither is there any rest in my bones] Bis repetit, more lugentium. He saith the same thing twice, as mourners use to do; but with an aggravation of his pain, reaching to his very bones. Because of my sin] This was the remote cause of his present sufferings; and is the true mother of all man’ s misery. Now when these two (God’ s wrath and man’ s sin) meet in the soul, as medicine and sickness in the stomach, there must needs be much unrest till they be vomited up by confession. It is as natural for guilt to breed disquiet as for putrid matter to breed vermin. Let God therefore be justified, and every mouth stopped.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 38:3
(3) Rest . . .—Better, health. The Hebrew is from a root meaning to be whole. Peace (see margin), the reading of the LXX. and Vulg. is a derived meaning.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 38:3
Verse 3. No soundness in my flesh] This seems to refer to some disorder which so affected the muscles as to produce sores and ulcers; and so affected his bones as to leave him no peace nor rest. In short, he was completely and thoroughly diseased; and all this he attributes to his sin, either as being its natural consequence, or as being inflicted by the Lord as a punishment on its account.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 38:3
3. His own sin is the cause of the divine indignation which inflicts the chastisement; and while God’s wrath assaults him from without, the fever of sin consumes him from within. With this verse and Psalms 38:5, comp. Isaiah’s description of the deep-seated disease of Israel’s body corporate (Isaiah 1:5-6). anger] Better as R.V. indignation, as in Psalms 7:11; Psalms 102:10. rest] R.V. health; lit., wholeness or peace. For in my bones see Psalms 6:2, note.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 38:3
There is no soundness in my flesh - There is no sound place in my flesh; there is no part of my body that is free from disease.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 38:3
3. Neither… rest in my bones—The depth of the wounds had disturbed the solid frame-work of the man. Because of my sin—This is the office of all corrective visitation—to call to mind the fact and horrible turpitude of sin.
Sermons on Psalms 38:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Second Coming 04 God's Program for Future by Stan Ford | In this sermon, the preacher urges the audience to accept God's salvation and let go of their burden of sin. He emphasizes the urgency of accepting salvation and questions if there |
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Comfort for Spiritual Mourners by William Gadsby | William Gadsby preaches on the blessedness of those who mourn, emphasizing that true mourners are those who grieve over their sinfulness and lack of intimacy with God. These spirit |
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John 5:39-47 by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom emphasizes the importance of diligently searching the Scriptures to find eternal life in Christ, rather than merely reading them superficially. He points out that t |
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(Through the Bible) Psalms - Part 1 by Zac Poonen | This sermon delves into the Book of Psalms, highlighting its significance in the New Testament and the various authors behind its composition. It explores the division of Psalms in |
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Psalm 6 by Henry Law | Henry Law preaches about the transformation from godly sorrow to godly joy, emphasizing the deep anguish of the soul due to sin and the desperate cries for mercy and healing from t |
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Ye the Branches by Andrew Murray | The preacher delves into the meaning of 'asthenes,' which signifies a state of helplessness, both physically and spiritually. This term describes the incapacity to produce results |
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The Exceeding Sinfulness of Sin by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the pastor emphasizes the lack of hope and spiritual decline in society. He criticizes the focus on material comforts and theological debates while neglecting the u |