Psalm 38 3

Psalm 38:3 kjv

There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.

Psalm 38:3 nkjv

There is no soundness in my flesh Because of Your anger, Nor any health in my bones Because of my sin.

Psalm 38:3 niv

Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin.

Psalm 38:3 esv

There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin.

Psalm 38:3 nlt

Because of your anger, my whole body is sick;
my health is broken because of my sins.

Psalm 38 verses

Psalm 38 3 Meaning

Psalm 38:3 reveals King David's profound distress, asserting that his physical and inner well-being are utterly compromised. He directly attributes his pervasive lack of soundness in his body and his absence of peace in his innermost being to God's righteous indignation and his own personal sin. This verse highlights sin's holistic and devastating impact on the entire person, both physically and spiritually.

Psalm 38 3 Context

Psalm 38 is one of the seven Penitential Psalms (alongside 6, 32, 51, 102, 130, 143), where the psalmist expresses deep remorse for sin and seeks God's forgiveness and restoration. David, the likely author, is depicted in severe physical suffering ("my loins are filled with a loathsome disease," Ps 38:7), emotional abandonment ("my friends and my companions stand aloof from my plague," Ps 38:11), and relentless attack from his adversaries. Within this dire situation, David does not blame external circumstances or chance; instead, he directly connects his intense personal affliction, both physical ailments and deep inner anguish, to the righteous anger of God provoked by his own confessed sin. This psalm serves as a fervent cry for mercy, rooted in a clear acknowledgement of personal accountability for transgression.

Psalm 38 3 Word analysis

• There is no (אֵין - ein): An emphatic Hebrew particle signifying absolute negation, a complete absence or lack. It underscores the totality of the condition—there is zero soundness or peace.
• soundness (מְתֹם - m'thom): Refers to wholeness, completeness, integrity, or freedom from defect. It suggests a lack of moral, spiritual, or physical soundness, often implying blemish or injury. The term resonates with tamim, meaning blameless or perfect, used for sacrificial animals or persons of integrity. Its absence here denotes a broken, unwhole state.
• in my flesh (בִּבְשָׂרִי - biv'sari): 'Flesh' here, while literally referring to the body, often encompasses the entire human person, denoting one's physical existence and fragility. The phrase indicates that the absence of soundness permeates the psalmist's entire physical being.
• because of your indignation (מִפְּנֵי זַעֲמֶךָ - mipp'nei za'amecha): "From the face of Your indignation/wrath." This phrase reveals the source of the suffering. Za'am (indignation, fierce anger, wrath) implies God's righteous displeasure, a strong divine reaction to sin and disobedience. It emphasizes God's active involvement as the moral Governor of the universe.
• no peace (אֵין שָׁלוֹם - ein shalom): This is a crucial element of the verse. Unlike some English translations that render this as "no health" or "no soundness" for the second part, the original Hebrew is shalom (שָׁלֹם). Shalom signifies not merely absence of conflict, but comprehensive well-being, wholeness, prosperity, security, tranquility, and harmonious relationship with God and others. Its absence profoundly indicates inner turmoil, distress, and a complete lack of rest.
• in my bones (בַּעֲצָמַי - ba'atzamay): Bones are often symbolic of the deepest, most foundational part of the body, representing inner strength, vitality, and the very core of one's being. Suffering in the bones thus means a pervasive, deep-seated pain that affects one's inner resolve and strength, not just surface ailments.
• because of my sin (מִפְּנֵי חַטָּאתִי - mipp'nei chat'tati): "From the face of my sin." This directly links the cause to personal transgression. Chat'tati (my sin) implies missing the mark, moral failing, or a willful act against God's commands. David unequivocally owns his culpability, acknowledging that his own actions brought about God's indignation and, consequently, his suffering.

• Words-Group analysis:
• "no soundness in my flesh" and "no peace in my bones": This parallelism highlights the comprehensive nature of David's affliction. It's not just physical debility; it's a deep-seated spiritual and mental anguish. The parallelism moves from the superficial "flesh" to the core "bones," indicating suffering that permeates every aspect of his existence.
• "because of your indignation" and "because of my sin": This structure establishes a clear cause-and-effect relationship. David's suffering is a direct consequence of his sin, which has provoked God's just and holy indignation. This connection underpins the theological premise that God is actively involved in administering consequences for human sin.

Psalm 38 3 Bonus section

• The raw honesty of David in connecting his suffering directly to his sin sets this verse apart from other expressions of distress, making it a profound model of repentance. He doesn't minimize his sin or deflect blame, which is foundational for true spiritual restoration.
• This verse can be seen as an expression of the Old Testament covenant principle, where obedience brought blessing and disobedience brought curses or judgments. While the New Testament emphasizes grace, it doesn't negate the reality of consequences for sin, particularly for those who profess faith, as seen in divine discipline (Heb 12:5-11).
• The physical and emotional distress described serves as a form of divine discipline, designed not to destroy, but to bring about repentance and lead to deeper dependence on God, demonstrating His character as both just and merciful.

Psalm 38 3 Commentary

Psalm 38:3 paints a vivid and painful picture of a person suffering comprehensively due to sin. David perceives his intense physical ailment and profound inner turmoil as direct manifestations of God's displeasure against his own moral transgressions. The absence of "soundness" in his flesh points to physical deterioration, while the lack of "peace" in his bones signifies a deep-seated spiritual and psychological distress that affects the very core of his being. This verse powerfully illustrates the biblical principle that sin is not merely an abstract concept or a legal infraction; it has tangible, debilitating effects on the human condition. It underscores God's righteous character, where His indignation justly responds to sin, but also, in the context of this penitential Psalm, sets the stage for a plea for mercy that acknowledges personal responsibility. True healing, in this biblical framework, begins with this honest recognition of sin's pervasive damage and turning back to the Source of all well-being.