← Back to Search

Psalms 38:5

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
KJV ORIGINAL
My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE

My wounds smell terrible and are infected because of my foolish choices.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

The writer is confessing that his physical and emotional pain has gotten worse because of his own poor decisions.

📚 Historical Context

Psalms 38 is a penitential psalm attributed to King David, written as a heartfelt lament during a time of severe physical and spiritual distress caused by his own sins. In this verse, David vividly describes the decay of his wounds as a metaphor for the consequences of his foolishness, reflecting the ancient Israelite belief that sin leads to both personal and communal suffering. This fits into the broader biblical narrative of repentance and God's judgment, as seen in other psalms and prophetic writings.

Ask the AI Assistant

Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.

Share or Save