Psalm 38
Psalm 38 is not included in the Revised Common Lectionary. It seems there is a fear that it will be understood as teaching that all illness is caused by sin. Such a misunderstanding is possible for those who do not know the Bible well, but impossible for those with a comprehensive knowledge of scripture.
Leaving this passage out has dangers as well. Without a knowledge of passages like this, no connection between sin and sickness will ever be considered. This Psalm teaches a point of view of illness that is sorely needed today. There is often more to illness than germs.
Spiritual
There is a spiritual side to illness.
“O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath!
2 For your arrows have sunk into me, and your hand has come down on me.
3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin. 4 For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me. 5 My wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness, …. 18 I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin. (3-5, 18).
Not all illness is directly related to sin; but sin is the cause behind the cause of illness in general. The Bible plainly teaches that human sin is what has caused the perfect system of nature that God created to go wrong (Gen 3 & Rom 8:18-23).
Not all illness is directly related to sin; but it is a direct cause in some cases. The Bible notes many times in which illnesses fell on people innocently. Job is an example. In the New Testament we might think of Trophimus (2 Tim 4:20) and Epaphroditus (Phil 2:25-26). But the Bible also notes times when a specific illness is brought on by a particular sin. Uzziah’s arrogance led to leprosy (2 Chr 26:16-21).
Modern research confirms a connection between certain sins and certain illnesses. The thought police do their best to hide the facts, but many liver illnesses, syphilis, AIDS, and Mpox are all closely related to wrongdoing.
So, it is appropriate, in times of illness or in any other time of trouble in our lives, to ask if there might be a message from God in this illness or trouble.
There does not have to be a medical cause-and-effect relationship for it to be so. There was no medical connection between Uzziah’s sin and Uzziah’s illness, but it was a message from God.
There does not have to be a cause-and-effect relationship at all for an illness to bring us a message. Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was not the result of a sin committed, but rather a humbling experience to keep him from a potential sin (2 Cor 12:7).
Illness may be a message from the Lord to the guilty. It may be a call to repentance. It may be a visible punishment from which others will benefit. It may be a reminder (to all of us) that there is a price to be paid for wrongdoing, or even for excesses in activities that are not wrong of themselves.
Illness may also be allowed to fall on the innocent. In this case, long-term illness brings us to lose hope in human remedies. If this causes us to cast ourselves unreservedly on the Lord, that may be a long-term gain. Illness may be intended by God to make us or keep us humble. Or it may be an opportunity to demonstrate patient suffering.
In any of these ways, there is a spiritual dimension to illness.
Social
There is also a social side to illness.
“My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague, and my nearest kin stand far off. 12 Those who seek my life lay their snares; those who seek my hurt speak of ruin and meditate treachery all day long” (11-12).
In the 21st century, we have reduced the tendency to blame people for their own illnesses. In fact, even when they have caused their own illness, we often hide that fact. But that does not mean that we are always good to the ill. Our society is entertainment crazy, and our entertainment often includes unfair caricatures of the elderly. We may neglect or belittle the elderly and the ill.
Our living patterns contribute to this — we do not live near our elderly loved ones. How are they to know that we love them? The local congregation is no longer the gathering of God’s people within walking distance. Instead, we drive long distances to meet with fellow believers. This leads to superficial relationships and further neglect. We simply do not know the situation of others in our congregation. Thus, those who are ill are more likely to be overlooked.
Every illness has theological and social dimensions. All illness reminds us of the effects of sin. Every illness should call on us to look to God. Every illness calls for a response from the family. Every serious or long-term illness calls for a response from the congregation.
Our response to illness should go beyond visiting the doctor. This psalm’s understanding of illness should be prayerfully considered.