Pray Through the Psalms (Day 3) | June 28, 2023

I Messed Up

Psalm 38 is like a personal diary entry from David, expressing his deep distress and pain. He talks about how he feels overwhelmed by his guilt and how it's affecting his physical and emotional well-being. It feels like everything is falling apart, and even his friends and loved ones have turned away from him.

David knows that his suffering is a consequence of his own mistakes, but he still cries out to God for help and forgiveness. He wants God to heal him and rescue him from his troubles. The psalm ends with a reminder that no matter how alone and brokenhearted David feels, God is always near and can redeem him. It's a psalm that shows the raw emotions of someone going through a tough time but still clinging to hope and seeking God's mercy.

Guided prayer: “God, I know I messed up. I regret the choices I made – it’s eating me up inside. Today I’m calling on your mercy. Please forgive me for the mistakes I’ve made. Thank you for being patient with me, and for your love that never runs out. Amen.”

Psalm 38
O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger,
nor discipline me in your wrath!
For your arrows have sunk into me,
and your hand has come down on me.

There is no soundness in my flesh

because of your indignation;

there is no health in my bones

because of my sin.

For my iniquities have gone over my head;

like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.

My wounds stink and fester

because of my foolishness,

I am utterly bowed down and prostrate;

all the day I go about mourning.

For my sides are filled with burning,

and there is no soundness in my flesh.

I am feeble and crushed;

I groan because of the tumult of my heart.

O Lord, all my longing is before you;

my sighing is not hidden from you.

My heart throbs; my strength fails me,

and the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me.

My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague,

and my nearest kin stand far off.

Those who seek my life lay their snares;

those who seek my hurt speak of ruin

and meditate treachery all day long.

But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear,

like a mute man who does not open his mouth.

I have become like a man who does not hear,

and in whose mouth are no rebukes.

But for you, O Lord, do I wait;

it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.

For I said, “Only let them not rejoice over me,

who boast against me when my foot slips!”

For I am ready to fall,

and my pain is ever before me.

I confess my iniquity;

I am sorry for my sin.

But my foes are vigorous, they are mighty,

and many are those who hate me wrongfully.

Those who render me evil for good

accuse me because I follow after good.

Do not forsake me, O Lord!

O my God, be not far from me!

Make haste to help me,

O Lord, my salvation!