Psalm 38:18 kjv
For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.
Psalm 38:18 nkjv
For I will declare my iniquity; I will be in anguish over my sin.
Psalm 38:18 niv
I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.
Psalm 38:18 esv
I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin.
Psalm 38:18 nlt
But I confess my sins;
I am deeply sorry for what I have done.
Psalm 38 18 Cross References
(h2)
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 32:5 | "I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity...you forgave..." | Forgiveness follows confession. |
| Prov 28:13 | "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses...will obtain mercy." | Danger of hiding sin; blessing of confessing. |
| 1 Jn 1:9 | "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us..." | God's faithfulness in forgiving confession. |
| Ps 51:3-4 | "For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me...against you only have I sinned..." | Deep recognition of personal sin. |
| Ps 51:17 | "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart..." | God values a sorrowful, repentant heart. |
| 2 Cor 7:10 | "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret..." | Godly sorrow for sin leads to repentance. |
| Jas 5:16 | "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed." | Connection between confession and healing. |
| Lev 5:5 | "When he realizes his guilt in any of these, he shall confess that in which he has sinned." | Legal requirement for confession of sin. |
| Num 5:7 | "he shall confess his sin that he has committed, and he shall make full restitution..." | Confession combined with restitution. |
| Ezr 9:6 | "O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities..." | Example of collective confession. |
| Neh 9:2 | "and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers." | Confession for both personal and generational sins. |
| Job 33:27-28 | "He sings before men and says: 'I have sinned and perverted what was right...'" | Public confession of wrongdoing. |
| Isa 55:7 | "let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." | Invitation to return and be pardoned. |
| Mic 7:18-19 | "Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity...He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot..." | God's unique character of pardoning sin. |
| Jer 3:13 | "Only acknowledge your guilt, that you have rebelled against the Lord..." | Call to acknowledge rebellion. |
| Jer 31:34 | "I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." | Divine promise of complete forgiveness. |
| Dan 9:4 | "I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, 'O Lord, great and awesome God...'" | Example of earnest, heartfelt confession. |
| Matt 3:2 | "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." | Foundational call to repentance. |
| Acts 3:19 | "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come..." | Repentance leads to renewal. |
| Rom 3:23 | "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." | Universal need for confession. |
| Lk 15:21 | "And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you...'" | Prodigal son's confession and return. |
| Heb 10:26-27 | "For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins..." | Contrasting persistent willful sin without repentance. |
| Ps 30:2 | "O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me." | Divine response to prayer/lament for relief. |
Psalm 38 verses
Psalm 38 18 Meaning
(h2)Psalm 38:18 reveals King David’s deep contrition and honest self-assessment regarding his spiritual and physical suffering. It states his resolve to publicly acknowledge his "iniquity" (willful rebellion against God) and expresses profound "sorrow" or distress for his "sin" (missing God’s mark). This verse signifies a crucial pivot in his lament, moving from describing his distress to confessing the underlying cause, demonstrating genuine repentance.
Psalm 38 18 Context
(h2)Psalm 38 is a penitential psalm, one of seven such psalms in the Psalter (Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143). David, often depicted as a man after God's own heart, confesses his sin and suffers physically and spiritually as a consequence. The psalm opens with a cry for God not to rebuke him in anger, detailing various ailments and feeling abandoned by God, friends, and even family due to his perceived spiritual failure. His enemies are empowered, and he feels like a helpless target. Amidst this anguish, verse 18 marks a pivotal shift: David ceases merely lamenting his affliction and acknowledges the root cause—his sin. It reveals that his confession is not an isolated act but part of a deeper process of spiritual suffering and seeking God's mercy and restoration, moving from complaint to contrite plea.
Psalm 38 18 Word analysis
(h2)
- For (כִּֽי - kî): This particle acts as a conjunction, often meaning "for," "because," or "surely." Here, it introduces the reason or justification for David's state or the subsequent actions. It signifies a decisive move or explanation, suggesting his confession is a deliberate and essential response to his dire condition described earlier in the psalm.
- I confess (אַגִּ֣יד - 'aggîd): Derived from the Hebrew verb nagad (נגד), meaning "to declare," "to tell," "to make known." In the Hiphil stem, as it appears here, it denotes an active, deliberate causing to be known or told. This isn't a passive acknowledgment but an intentional, often public, and complete disclosure. It carries the weight of formally presenting a case or revealing hidden information, indicating the earnestness of his admission to God.
- my iniquity (פִשְׁעִי֙ - fiš‘î): From pesha' (פֶשַׁע), often translated as "transgression," "rebellion," or "revolt." This term describes a breach of covenant, a deliberate act of disobedience, or a rebellion against a higher authority (in this case, God). It is more severe than simply "missing the mark"; it implies intentional defiance and a break in relationship, highlighting the willful nature of David's offense.
- I am sorry (וְאֶדְאַ֣ג - wə'eḏ'aḡ): From da'ag (דָּאַג), meaning "to be anxious," "to be troubled," "to be concerned," "to sorrow," "to grieve." This term describes an internal emotional state of distress or deep apprehension, not just intellectual regret. It reflects a profound inner turmoil, pain, and earnest grief over the committed sin. It indicates a sincere emotional response that goes beyond mere acknowledgment and suggests a yearning for rectification.
- for my sin (עַל־חַטָּאתִֽי - ‘al-ḥaṭṭā’ṯî): From ḥaṭṭa't (חַטָּאת), which is the most common Hebrew term for "sin," meaning "to miss the mark," "to go astray," "to err," or "to fall short." While pesha' denotes willful rebellion, ḥaṭṭa't is a broader term encompassing any failure to meet God’s standard, whether intentional or unintentional. The preposition 'al (עַל) means "over" or "concerning," directly linking his sorrow to the entirety of his wrongdoing.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "For I confess my iniquity": This phrase marks a turning point and is a powerful statement of personal responsibility. "I confess" ('aggîd) underscores the active, intentional, and perhaps public nature of his admission. "My iniquity" (fiš‘î) points to the severe, rebellious character of his sin, implying that David recognized he had deliberately crossed a boundary set by God, not merely made a mistake.
- "I am sorry for my sin": This second clause complements the first by adding an essential emotional component. "I am sorry" (wə'eḏ'aḡ) conveys a deep, inward pain and distress, signifying godly sorrow rather than worldly regret. "For my sin" (‘al-ḥaṭṭā’ṯî) is a more general term that covers all aspects of his failure to live up to God’s holy standards, encompassing both conscious rebellion and any unintentional falling short. The combination of "iniquity" (pesha') and "sin" (ḥaṭṭa't) highlights that David understood his transgression comprehensively—as both deliberate rebellion and a general failure before a holy God, prompting genuine sorrow.
Psalm 38 18 Bonus section
(h2)The pairing of pesha' (iniquity/rebellion) and ḥaṭṭā’t (sin/missing the mark) in this verse is highly significant. Pesha' emphasizes the active, conscious choice to transgress God’s law, often with defiance, like a subject revolting against their king. Ḥaṭṭā’t represents a broader spectrum of wrongdoing, including unintentional mistakes, failures, or ethical lapses. By using both, David demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of his guilt, admitting both his intentional rebellion and his general failure to meet God's standard. This deep, dual awareness underscores the completeness of his contrition, vital for genuine spiritual restoration and receiving God’s abundant grace and forgiveness. It signifies that true repentance addresses not only the outward act but also the inner disposition that leads to all forms of wrongdoing.
Psalm 38 18 Commentary
(h2)Psalm 38:18 is the heart of David’s plea, signaling his profound turning toward God in repentance. This verse elucidates that true confession is multi-faceted: it involves both a precise acknowledgment of specific rebellion (iniquity/pesha') and a comprehensive, heartfelt sorrow for all one's failures to meet God’s standard (sin/ḥaṭṭā’t). This isn't a mere admission of guilt but a genuine expression of a broken and contrite heart, recognizing the full weight and devastating effects of his actions against God. This act of humble, open confession is essential for genuine repentance, clearing the path for God's forgiveness and restoring communion, illustrating the biblical truth that sorrow for sin leads to healing and deliverance from its crushing weight.