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Psalm 38 · a question people ask

"I will be sorry for my sin" (38:18), and then, "Those who hate me without reason are numerous" (38:19). Doesn't the psalm contradict itself?

In the text

The psalm sets the two side by side and speaks of two different things. To the LORD, the psalmist names "my iniquity" and "my sin" (38:18). Of his enemies, he says they "hate me without reason" (38:19). Without reason is sheqer, which Brown-Driver-Briggs gives as "deception, disappointment, falsehood". And he says, "They who give evil for good are also adversaries to me, because I follow what is good" (38:20). Psalm 35's notes set 38:20's evil for good beside Psalm 35:12 and 109:5, and Psalm 23's notes set his follow beside Psalm 23:6; these notes don't repeat them. Psalm 38 doesn't say that his sin was against these enemies, or that they know of it. It doesn't explain how his sin before the LORD and their hatred fit together, and these notes don't either.

The verses

“For I will declare my iniquity. I will be sorry for my sin. But my enemies are vigorous and many. Those who hate me without reason are numerous. They who give evil for good are also adversaries to me, because I follow what is good.”
Psalm 38:18-20 · World English Bible
“Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the LORD’s house forever.”
Psalm 23:6 · World English Bible
“They reward me evil for good, to the bereaving of my soul.”
Psalm 35:12 · World English Bible
“They have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.”
Psalm 109:5 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 38

Psalm 38: Lord, my salvation

"My strength fails me" (38:10) and "Don’t forsake me, LORD" (38:21) are one Hebrew verb, azav: his strength left him, and he asks the LORD not to. And the WEB's health in "neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin" (38:3) is shalom.

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions