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Presented November 18, 2007

DO NOT REBUKE ME

PSALM 38

Tonight we study another psalm of David. This is the third of seven penitential psalms by David. These are psalms that deal with the subject of repentance. Repentance is a subject we need to fully understand and the need to repent when we sin is a subject we need to be reminded of. In this psalm we see the depth of personal despair that one can sink to when he realizes he has sinned against God. But it can also lead to true repentance.

It is described as a psalm of David. The occasion is not given, nor alluded to in the psalm. But the title is interesting, “A psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.” Perhaps, there was no specific occasion for David penning this psalm, but rather he wanted to remember the guilt he has felt when he sinned against God.

Such reminders can be a good thing, if they keep us humble and pure. I am reminded of Paul, who in 1 Timothy 1:12-13 is reminded of what he used to be, but thanks to the grace of God, he is not like that anymore. In 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 he says, “For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am.” Such is the reminder that David writes about.

NOTE as we begin: David writes this as an Israelite who knows what it means to serve God. He writes as one who is a servant of God, but an erring servant. He is writing as one who is caught up in sin, though he knows better. He is writing as one who knows his fate if he doesn’t change! This is NOT just someone in the world who has never given God a thought or escaped the cares, troubles and pollutions of this world.

I. David’s Deep Personal Despair (1-10)

a. Do not rebuke me or chasten me (1)… Notice whom David acknowledges that he needs to face. It is God. While there might be others whom he also needs to go to, he knows that God is to be first in his life – even in this – acknowledging your sins. 1 John 1:8-9, Psalm 51:4, “For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight…”

b. Your arrows pierce me (2) – in some way God was afflicting David. In this I think of the conscience that God has given us. As we have noted before, it works.
But for the conscience to bother us, we have to have some standard of right and wrong. While we might be born with some degree of comprehending right and wrong (at least the ability to do so), most of our discernment comes from learning. Something was piercing David’s heart like an arrow? What was it? Consider Hebrews 4:12, “The word of God is…sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Further more, His hand is a heavy weight upon the sinful heart.

c. No soundness (health) is in his bones (3-4) - In these verses I see one whose soul is so afflicted because of sin that he is making himself sick. There are some whose lives are laden with guilt to the point they have a hard time facing themselves or forgiving themselves, much less anyone else, and especially God, IF they know Who He is.
(4) His iniquities are over his head and they burden him to the point that he cannot lift them by himself.
I think of one who has sinned to the point that he doesn’t know how to get out of it – or he is too weak to face the consequences of acknowledging his sins.
As I read this, I wonder if David, after committing adultery and then murder felt any remorse before Nathan confronted him? I wonder if he asked himself, “What have I done?” I wonder if he had a hard time sleeping or carrying on with his daily life!
He speaks of festering wounds (5) – that would be oozing sores that are infected. Wounds don’t usually get like that over night!
And notice how he acknowledges that HE IS AT FAULT! He has acted foolishly. Have you ever called yourself stupid or an idiot because you have acted like a fool in rebelling against God?
He is bowed down greatly and severely broken (6-8) - IT is hurting him inside – tearing him up.
It is all he can think about all day long. Think of the STRESS this might produce within him. It is affecting him physically – the results of stress (think of all the people in the world WITHOUT God who are dealing with these troubles and have to turn to godly psychotherapists, or worse yet – they have NO ONE!) Also, David is broken in heart!
Vs. 9 – David acknowledges that God knows his sins. He again is aware that he cannot EVER hide from God (Hebrews 4:13, Psalm 139:7).
Vs. 10 – Even his strength and the light of his eyes have left him – here is one who seems empty inside. Friends, this is the picture of a broken man! If he turns this heart in the right direction, you have one who is “poor in spirit” (cf. Matthew 5:3).

II. David’s Despair Affects Others (11-14)

a. His friends and family avoid him (11) - Are friends and family affected by his behavior? When one wanders around like this – those who know you best WILL be affected, if nothing else, by his changed and pitiful disposition. This is NOT necessarily an approval of what they might be doing (consider how the disciples of Jesus forsook Him – Peter denied him – Luke 22:54ff, others followed at a distance – Luke 23:49). IT is during the hard times that our friends need to be there for us (though where sin is involved there is to be withdrawal, etc.). BUT, who wants to be around someone who is miserable and making everyone around them miserable? Often, we in our pity, DRIVE others away!

b. His enemies continue to be out to get him (12) –. They slander him and curse him. They plot against him. Could it be that while in sin, God has withheld His blessings and grace which gives them more access? Think of David’s sin with Bathsheba. Nathan noticed that it gave the nations around cause to blaspheme God (and him) – 2 Samuel 12:14.

c. David cannot answer them because of his guilt (13 – 14) – He wants to say something, but he KNOWS he is guilty. Perhaps, there is at least some truth in their accusations against him. He has enough about him to know that if he says something, it will only make matters worse (adding to his sins).

III. David finally turns to God (15-22)

a. His hope (his ONLY hope) is in the Lord (15) - But he finally turns to God. Notice how he wants an answer FROM God. How do we get an answer from God? Through His word!

b. May they not rejoice over me (16) – while David faces consequences for what he has done, he knows that ultimately the enemies of God will not win. I ask: Can one truly and completely repent, even of the worst of sins?

c. David is ready to accept the consequences of his sins. He knows that he can sink no further (17)

d. He will confess his sins and repent (18). He is anxious to have them removed.

e. But his enemies are still there and they have to be dealt with (19-20). Even in repentance, there are consequences to one’s actions. His enemies may not win in the long run, but what he has done will give them fuel to keep going. AND consider this: While God may accept you repentance, will your enemies??? Furthermore, while on this earth, there will ALWAYS be enemies of God. May they be YOUR enemy also!

f. David prays to God to not forsake him and to draw close to him once again (21-22) - typical David.

g. David concludes, “O Lord, my salvation!” An acknowledgement of the ONLY real answer to his problem, whatever it is.

IV. Lessons:

a. Can this happen today? Absolutely! Think FIRST of the one who does not know God. Whatever troubles he faces in this life he faces without hope.
Think of the hypocrite who knows what he is.
Think of the addict who has sunk to the bottom and doesn’t know where to turn or who to turn to. He wants to quit his sinful conduct, but he doesn’t have a strong enough drive.
Think of the adulterer who is hiding his (or her) affair but he knows just how wrong it is.
Think of the embezzler whose money doesn’t really belong to him, and he knows it.
Think of one who has committed a terrible sin that he is totally ashamed of – one he thinks no one knows about.

b. What do you do if you find yourself in this type of a situation?
First, THANK GOD! Be thankful that your conscience is still working! That He loves you enough that he has not completely abandoned you (though it feels like it to you). Hebrews 12:5-11
Realize that your mental anguish is because YOU have not TRULY repented! YOU need to change!
Repent! Find a way to make it right!

Start with making yourself right with God! Realize that God CAN forgive you of ANY sin you commit! Realize that God does not want you to perish (2 Peter 3:9) and He is longsuffering with you. Like the father of the Prodigal son (Luke 15) He waits for you to come back to Him. Come home!

Realize what true repentance involves. 2 Cor. 7:10-11. Prove yourself clear in this matter.
Hebrews 12:1-2 – lay aside the weight and the sin which has ensnared you.
But repentance is up to YOU! No one can repent for you! You have to face yourself FIRST! Will you.

And thus we see David in the lowest of points in his life. But we know that David recovered from his low points. And so can we. Think about it!