Psalm 38:5 3

Psalm 38:5 3

3 There is no wholeness/integrity in my flesh because of your indignation;

there is no wellness in my bones because of my sin.

4 For my iniquities passed over my head;

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

5 They stank, they rot, my wounds

because of my foolishness;

6 I am bent, I am bowed down exceedingly;

all day long in darkness I walked about.

7 For my loins/stupidity are filled with burning/shame,

and there is no wholeness/integrity in my flesh.

DON’T BE FOOLISH

My husband always tells me to double check everything. I usually think it’s not necessary until one time I realized that my flight had been changed at the last minute. He saved me from my foolishness.

In Ps 38:5, the psalmist says that his suffering from sin is due to his foolishness (‘ivveleth). This Hebrew word occurs a total of 25 times, and 23 of those times in Proverbs. It describes those who are impatient, has a hasty temper, or who answers before hearing (Pr 14:17, 29; 18:13).

This verse on foolishness is also at the chiastic centre of Ps 38:3-7, a stanza about confession. Each of these five verses mentions wrong-doing, like “sin” (v. 3), and are filled with Hebrew word-play: “wholeness” (vv. 3, 7) is related to the root for “integrity” (vv. 3, 7), and “iniquities” and “bent” (vv. 4, 6) share the same. Even “loins” can mean “stupidity”, and “burning” can mean “shame” (v. 7). But at the centre of it all is “foolishness”. How can one be cured of foolishness? Taking the cue from the book of Proverbs, the answer lies in the fear (reverence or awe) of YHWH.

Moses is an example of such “foolishness” when he killed the Egyptian slave-driver in his impatient quest for justice. It was only when he encountered the fear of YHWH at the burning bush that he became humble and realized that he needed to listen to God and others. Like Moses, I’ve also learnt the hard way when I’m in a hurry to do things my own way at my own timing; like the psalmist in vv. 11, 12, I’ve also had people reacting negatively to me when I did so. Do you need to let your foolishness be corrected by the fear of YHWH? Consider whether you need to listen more to God, to family, or to trusted friends. With the psalmist, come in repentance before the awe-fullness of God.

Rev. Dr Maggie Low