Bible Strands
Psalms 38:1
A Psalm of David, for remembrance. O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger or discipline me in Your wrath.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David frames this psalm as a memorial appeal directed to Yahweh, issuing a plea during a time of perceived divine hostility.
The words — The Hebrew אַל־ ('al-) and תוֹכִיחֵ֑נִי (to.khi.Che./ni) literally render "may not" and "you rebuke me," structuring the verse as a direct petition against judgment.
The thread — The text records the identical opening plea found in Psalms 6:1 and parallels the contrast between withheld wrath and lasting compassion in Isaiah 54:8 and the disciplinary framework of Hebrews 12:5.
Why it lands — The verse states a request for God to refrain from rebuking and chastening, requiring the reader to confront the reality of divine discipline and the necessity of appealing for restraint.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 54:8 In a surge of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer.
- Psalms 6:1 For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments, according to Sheminith. A Psalm of David. O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger or discipline me in Your wrath.
- Hebrews 12:5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you.
- Psalms 70:1 For the choirmaster. Of David. To bring remembrance. Make haste, O God, to deliver me! Hurry, O LORD, to help me!
- Jeremiah 30:11 For I am with you to save you, declares the LORD. Though I will completely destroy all the nations to which I have scattered you, I will not completely destroy you. Yet I will discipline you justly, and will by no means leave you unpunished.”
- Jeremiah 10:24 Correct me, O LORD, but only with justice—not in Your anger, or You will bring me to nothing.
- Isaiah 27:8 By warfare and exile You contended with her and removed her with a fierce wind, as on the day the east wind blows.
- Habakkuk 3:2 O LORD, I have heard the report of You; I stand in awe, O LORD, of Your deeds. Revive them in these years; make them known in these years. In Your wrath, remember mercy!
- Psalms 88:7 Your wrath weighs heavily upon me; all Your waves have submerged me. Selah
- Psalms 88:15 From my youth I was afflicted and near death. I have borne Your terrors; I am in despair.