Psalms 38:9
Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.
Original Language Analysis
נֶגְדְּךָ֥
H5048
נֶגְדְּךָ֥
Strong's:
H5048
Word #:
2 of 8
a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 8
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
תַּאֲוָתִ֑י
all my desire
H8378
תַּאֲוָתִ֑י
all my desire
Strong's:
H8378
Word #:
4 of 8
a longing; by implication, a delight (subjectively, satisfaction, objectively, a charm)
מִמְּךָ֥
H4480
מִמְּךָ֥
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
6 of 8
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
Cross References
Psalms 10:17LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:Psalms 6:6I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.2 Corinthians 5:2For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:Psalms 102:5By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.John 1:48Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
Historical Context
This verse marks the structural center of the psalm (v.9 of 22). Hebrew poetry often places key themes at the midpoint. Here, the pivot from despair to hope centers on God's omniscient presence. David moves from describing his symptoms to addressing the Divine Physician who sees beyond symptoms to soul-sickness.
Questions for Reflection
- What unspoken 'desires' and 'groanings' are you reluctant to voice but God already knows?
- How does God's complete knowledge of your inner state bring comfort rather than fear when you're in sin?
- What would change if you lived constantly aware that all your desires are 'before' God's face?
Analysis & Commentary
Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee. The psalm pivots—after eight verses of lament, David addresses Lord (אֲדֹנָי, Adonai, sovereign master) directly. His desire (תַּאֲוָה, ta'avah, longing) and groaning (אֲנָחָה, anachah, sighing) are before God—fully exposed yet fully known.
The shift from description to direct address marks turning from self-absorption to God-focus. 'Before thee' implies both presence and transparency—nothing hidden, no pretense. Though David's friends have abandoned him (v.11), God sees and hears everything. The 'desire' likely includes longing for restoration, healing, vindication—God knows even unspoken petitions (Romans 8:27).