Psalm 38 (37):19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The person who indulges in excess without awareness is, in a sense, more mortally lost than one who has physically departed; while he may be alive, his true condition is one of decay, as described in John 11:39. This warrants our sorrow, for while other afflictions may be bearable, this calls for true mourning.

We ought to grieve for them just as the man mentioned mourned. I acknowledge my sins and take responsibility for my wrongdoing. Do not absolve yourself from discomfort when confessing your faults, thinking you can continually admit them while repeating the same errors. A true confession requires diligence in addressing your sins. What does it mean to manage your transgressions? It is akin to tending to a wound. If you say, "I will care for my wound," it implies a commitment to healing it. Similarly, to attend to your sin means to constantly strive, to diligently work, and to earnestly seek restoration and healing.

You may indeed shed tears for your sins daily, yet your actions may remain stagnant. Engage in acts of charity and seek atonement for your shortcomings, so that those in need may find joy in your compassion, and you too may experience the grace of God. Both you and the needy require support; just as they need your help, you need the helping hand of the Divine. If you disregard those who seek your assistance, should not the Lord turn away from you in your hour of need? Therefore, address the needs of those who rely on your aid, that your own spiritual needs might be fulfilled by God. This is the essence of taking responsibility for your sins—I will do all that is necessary to erase and mend my transgressions. I am committed to nurturing my soul.

Fear of disgrace will serve you no purpose when you stand before God’s judgment. You will regret your shame when you confess your sins, not just before men, but also in the presence of angels and all heavenly beings. How will you find justification when you have strayed so far? You will be justified by the frailty of human nature, as none are sinless. They will question you, saying, ‘You should have repented! I provided the remedy; why did you refuse it?’ Shame will engulf you, as you reflect on your honors. The Lord will declare, ‘If you are ashamed of Me before others, I will also be ashamed of you before My Father in heaven.’ Understand the truth in the saying, There is a shame that brings forth sin. David kept his sorrow at the forefront, ensuring he would never forget it. He acknowledged his transgressions, focused on his misdeeds rather than his wealth. David was not ashamed to name his sins so that he would not be embarrassed by them when facing My judgment. Are you ashamed? Job would not have found peace if he had been embarrassed before his three friends, nor would David have known serenity if he had been ashamed to confess. I am unashamed to reveal My truths to him because he was bold enough to admit his wrongs to Me. Both David and Job surrendered the weight of their actions to My will and judgment, and I am proud of such servants, calling them friends. For they earnestly desire to fulfill My will. Though they were once in sorrow, they are now comforted. You, who are in comfort now, shall face anguish, creating a vast divide between you; thus, their grace cannot reach you, nor can your sin affect them. Are you listening to David’s words? Pay attention: while you still have the chance to amend your ways and improve, remember that if you repent here, you will find peace there. Do not be lured by the pleasures of this world, as they often bring bitterness. When David was destined for the throne, he did not seek personal delight but chose sacrifice like the saints, rejecting the life of the wicked.

I will openly acknowledge my transgressions; I will not conceal them but will confess my faults genuinely, recognizing that I deserve all consequences for them. ‘I will become the accuser of my own soul’ (Athanasius). ‘I will declare my sin so that I can signify my rejection of it, turn away from it, and detest and loathe it’ (Zigabenus). Moreover, after my confession, I will not succumb to negligence; instead, I will earnestly strive to be restored. I will attend to my sins; I will seek to atone for them, eradicate them, and reform my ways; I will not be inattentive but will diligently guard against them. This is the promise every penitent makes before God, who desires not the death of the sinner: I have sinned; I will cease. ‘Do not allow yourself to be negligent in your confession,’ advises Blessed Augustine. ‘Declare your sins clearly, so that you may also guard against them.’ What does it mean to watch over sin? It equates to caring for a wound. If you were to say, ‘I will tend to my wound,’ it would mean, ‘I will ensure it heals.’ Similarly, to care for sin implies maintaining a persistent, fervent concern to erase and heal it. I shall undertake all necessary actions to cleanse my soul of it. Neglecting sin leads to further sin, while being attentive helps halt it and eliminates its recurrence—establishing one in God’s commandments and fortifying moral integrity. This is what the Apostle urges as well: to work out one’s salvation with reverence and awe (Phil. 2:12), to be fervent for good deeds (Titus 2:14). Such a disposition should govern the entirety of the repentant person's life. Repentance is not just a momentary act but a lifelong pursuit.

Any soul devoid of the heavenly seasoning of the Holy Spirit decomposes, becoming replete with the foulness of wickedness and empty thoughts, and is infested with dreadful evils, akin to malevolent spirits that invade and disturb her. The souls of the unrighteous resemble creatures afflicted with sores, consumed and cloaked in decay. From the deterioration of sinful wounds, a person becomes weak and grotesque, burdened by the pangs of conscience, embarrassment, and shame. However, if one embarks upon a journey of repentance and embraces the path of virtue, the Lord will provide strength against sinful desires. This scripture instructs us not to conceal our transgressions or harbor them deep within our beings as darkness and decay but to openly confess them. The prophet deeply groans under the weight of his inner turmoil, feeling the withdrawal of the light of the Holy Spirit due to his sins. The term “neighbors” refers to both fellow humans and angels, who are distanced from an individual due to sin. Demons relentlessly pursue souls, launching more vigorous assaults. The ungodly are engaged in conspiracies day after day. The long-suffering of Christ during His passion resonates as a cry from Adam and his descendants, yearning for salvation from Christ and liberation from hell to conquer sin, condemnation, and death.