“There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.”
The psalmist describes how there is no health in his whole body because of his sin, and his bones have no rest because of his transgression. The lack of health throughout the body suggests comprehensive physical affliction. The explicit connection between sin and physical suffering establishes that the psalmist understands his condition as consequence for transgression. The reference to bones having no rest suggests constant and pervasive pain. This verse establishes the psalmist's understanding that his suffering is the result of his sin.
Church Fathers on Psalms 38:3
A psalm to David himself, on the remembrance of the Sabbath. 1. What does this recollection of the Sabbath mean? What is this Sabbath? For it is with groaning that he “calls it to recollection.” You have both heard already when the Psalm was read, and you will now hear it when we shall go over it, how great is his groaning, his mourning, his tears, his misery. But happy he who is wretched after this manner! Whence the Lord also in the Gospel Matthew 5:4 called some who mourn…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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