Psalm 38's title says it is A Psalm by David, for a memorial. It is one of the psalms in which a person openly grieves over sin. David starts, Yahweh, don't rebuke me in your wrath. He feels that God's hand presses hard on him. He says there is no soundness in his flesh and no health in his bones because of his sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head. As a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me. He links his suffering to his own foolishness.
David's troubles come from every side. My heart throbs. My strength fails me. His friends stand aloof from his plague, and his kinsmen stand far away. Those who seek his hurt lay snares and plan deceits all day long. But David refuses to answer them. I, as a deaf man, don't hear. I am as a mute man who doesn't open his mouth. In the New Testament, Peter writes that when Jesus was insulted, he did not insult back, but trusted God who judges rightly (1 Peter 2:23).
At the center of the psalm is hope. Lord, all my desire is before you. My groaning is not hidden from you. For I hope in you, Yahweh. You will answer, Lord my God. David then turns to honest confession: For I will declare my iniquity. I will be sorry for my sin. He follows what is good even though enemies repay evil for good. His final words are a short, urgent prayer: Don't forsake me, Yahweh. My God, don't be far from me. Hurry to help me, Lord, my salvation.