Psalm 38 2

Psalm 38:2 kjv

For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.

Psalm 38:2 nkjv

For Your arrows pierce me deeply, And Your hand presses me down.

Psalm 38:2 niv

Your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down on me.

Psalm 38:2 esv

For your arrows have sunk into me, and your hand has come down on me.

Psalm 38:2 nlt

Your arrows have struck deep,
and your blows are crushing me.

Psalm 38 verses

Psalm 38 2 Meaning

Psalm 38:2 describes the psalmist's intense physical and spiritual agony, depicting it as a direct, piercing, and heavy affliction sent by God. The imagery conveys a profound state of being overwhelmed and incapacitated by what is perceived as divine discipline or judgment, causing deep internal distress and oppressive external burdens. The verse functions as a lament, articulating the overwhelming nature of the suffering that the psalmist believes is directly from God.

Psalm 38 2 Context

Psalm 38 is a profound lament by David, classified as a penitential psalm. It opens with a plea for God to temper His wrath (v. 1), immediately followed by the declaration in verse 2, explaining the psalmist's terrible condition. The subsequent verses describe his physical deterioration (vv. 3-8) as a consequence of his sin, the abandonment by friends (vv. 11-12), and the attacks by enemies (vv. 12, 19-20). Despite this dire situation, the psalmist expresses hope in God's mercy and salvation (vv. 15-18, 21-22). Historically, the psalm may reflect a period of severe illness combined with public disgrace, possibly related to David's sin with Bathsheba and its repercussions, or another instance of divine chastisement experienced in his life. The entire chapter grapples with the intense link between sin, suffering, and divine judgment from an Old Testament perspective.

Psalm 38 2 Word analysis

• For: Hebrew "Kiy" (כִּי). This conjunction introduces the reason or explanation for the lament expressed in verse 1. It directly links the psalmist's current suffering to a perceived action of God.

• Your arrows: Hebrew "Chittzeykha" (חִצֶּיךָ). From "chets" (חֵץ), meaning "arrow." The plural form emphasizes the multitude or persistence of the afflictions. The possessive "your" (God's) signifies divine origin. In biblical imagery, arrows often symbolize swift, penetrating, and painful judgments or afflictions from God (e.g., drought, famine, disease, military defeat). They represent sharp, targeted blows.

• have pierced me deeply (NIV) / stick fast in me (KJV): Hebrew "Nachatu" (נָחֲתוּ). From the root "nachath" (נָחַת), which means "to come down, descend, pierce, thrust in, settle." The verb conveys the action of something firmly embedded, sunk in, or penetrating deeply. It implies a lasting and excruciating pain, suggesting the arrows are not merely superficial wounds but have embedded themselves within the psalmist's being, causing persistent internal agony.

• and your hand: Hebrew "W'yadcha" (וְיָדְךָ). "Yad" (יָד) refers to the "hand." The "hand of God" is a common biblical anthropomorphism representing God's active power, agency, or authority. In this context, it symbolizes the direct, active, and tangible pressure of God's will.

• has come down heavily on me (NIV) / presseth me sore (KJV): Hebrew "Nichatah" (נָחֲתָה). This is another form of the same root "nachath" (נָחַת). The repetition of the root within the same verse is a literary device to intensify the meaning. Here, it denotes a heavy, crushing descent or oppressive weight. It conveys the idea of being burdened, overwhelmed, and afflicted severely by God's hand.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Your arrows have pierced me deeply": This phrase paints a picture of internal, sharp, and agonizing suffering that is persistent and deeply lodged. It speaks to the psychological and physical torment perceived as direct, specific judgments.
  • "and your hand has come down heavily on me": This phrase portrays an external, overwhelming, and oppressive burden. It signifies the immense pressure and pervasive presence of God's disciplinary hand, affecting the psalmist's entire existence.
  • Together, these images communicate a total state of physical and emotional prostration under divine displeasure, emphasizing both the penetrating pain from within and the crushing weight from without, leaving the psalmist utterly vulnerable and suffering.

Psalm 38 2 Bonus section

• The anthropomorphic language (God having "arrows" and a "hand") makes the abstract concept of divine judgment concrete and intensely personal for the psalmist, heightening the emotional impact of the verse. It illustrates God's active involvement in human life, even through painful circumstances.
• This verse immediately sets the theme of penitence for the entire psalm. The intense suffering is viewed as a consequence of sin (as clarified in subsequent verses, particularly 38:3, "there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin"), propelling the psalmist toward confession and desperate reliance on God for salvation.
• The raw honesty of David's lament is a powerful example for believers in expressing deep pain and confusion, even when feeling God's disciplinary hand, without abandoning faith in His ultimate goodness.
• While some suffering may not be directly tied to a specific sin (John 9:1-3), the biblical concept of divine discipline for believers, for correction and growth, is consistently taught (Heb 12:5-11; Rev 3:19), making the psalmist's experience deeply relatable for those undergoing trials perceived as chastening.

Psalm 38 2 Commentary

Psalm 38:2 vividly depicts the psalmist's acute suffering, which he attributes unequivocally to God's direct agency. The dual metaphor of "arrows" and a "heavy hand" effectively communicates the comprehensive and overwhelming nature of this divine discipline. The arrows symbolize swift, piercing pains, representing acute illnesses, sudden afflictions, or internal pangs of conscience, suggesting wounds that penetrate the core of his being and linger. The "heavy hand" conveys an oppressive, persistent burden, implying the crushing weight of God's displeasure, causing physical weakness and a profound sense of incapacitation. This imagery emphasizes that the psalmist perceives his suffering not as random misfortune but as a deliberate and just consequence, designed by God to lead him to repentance and acknowledge His sovereignty. It underscores a key Old Testament theological point: God's hand is actively involved in human affairs, bringing both blessing and discipline. This realization, though painful, initiates a posture of confession and a plea for divine mercy, laying the foundation for the psalmist's earnest supplication in the rest of Psalm 38. For the believer, such divine discipline, though severe, serves a purposeful role in spiritual formation, reminding us of our need for God and leading to humble reliance.