Psalms 38:5
My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.
Original Language Analysis
הִבְאִ֣ישׁוּ
stink
H887
הִבְאִ֣ישׁוּ
stink
Strong's:
H887
Word #:
1 of 5
to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally
נָ֭מַקּוּ
and are corrupt
H4743
נָ֭מַקּוּ
and are corrupt
Strong's:
H4743
Word #:
2 of 5
to melt; figuratively, to flow, dwindle, vanish
חַבּוּרֹתָ֑י
My wounds
H2250
חַבּוּרֹתָ֑י
My wounds
Strong's:
H2250
Word #:
3 of 5
properly, bound (with stripes), i.e., a weal (or black-and-blue mark itself)
Historical Context
In ancient near east without antibiotics, infected wounds often proved fatal. The putrefaction David describes would be immediately recognized as life-threatening. Religious impurity laws (Leviticus 13-15) associated foul odors with uncleanness, making this both a physical and spiritual crisis requiring priestly intervention.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'wounds' from past sin have you left untreated, allowing them to fester into something worse?
- How does David's term 'foolishness' (moral stupidity) challenge our culture's view of sin as merely mistakes or poor choices?
- When sin's consequences become publicly shameful ('stink'), how do you balance honest confession with appropriate privacy?
Analysis & Commentary
My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness. Sin's wounds (חַבּוּרָה, chaburah, stripes/welts) have become infected—they stink (בָּאַשׁ, ba'ash, emit foul odor) and are corrupt (מָקַק, maqaq, fester/putrefy). David attributes this to foolishness (אִוֶּלֶת, ivvelet), moral stupidity that ignores wisdom.
This graphic medical imagery exposes sin's progressive decay when left untreated. Wounds that could have healed through prompt confession now fester. The stench represents public shame—others notice the rot. David doesn't blame circumstances or others but owns his foolishness, the willful rejection of wisdom that leads to destruction (Proverbs 1:7).