I Wait For You, O Lord (Psalm 38)

Psalm 38:1-22; 15

"For I am waiting for you, O Lord. You must answer for me, O Lord my God" (Ps 38:15, NLT).

This is the third of the seven "penitential psalms" (Psalm 6, 32, 51, 102, 130, 143). It is a prayer for deliverance from God's chastening of his sins. The psalm describes anguish of body and mind, desertion by friends, and how the psalmist's folly has made him vulnerable to enemies ready to pounce on him. Psalm 38 may be divided into two parts:

1. Too hard to wait on God (1-12).
2. Yet I wait for the Lord (13-22).
   

References:

1. Motyer, J Alec. The Psalms. New Bible Commentary. Downers Grove, Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 1994. Psalm 38 - Divine Anger, Divine Salvation:
   
1. The Way Down (1-12).
2. The Way Up (13-22).
   
2. Kidner, Derek. Psalms 1 - 72: An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 1973. Psalm 38 - The Outcast:
   
1. The Loathsome Burden (1-8).
2. The Lonely Victim (9-14).
3. The Single Hope (15-22).
   
3. ESV Study Bible. Psalm 38 - Do Not Forsake Me, O Lord:
1. The Tumult of My Heart (1-8).
   
2. I Am a Lonely Victim (9-14).
3. You Alone Are My Hope (15-22).
   
4. Psalm 38 - The Penitent Plea Of A Sick Man.