Mazmur 38:5

38:5 My wounds ¹  are infected and starting to smell, ² 

because of my foolish sins. ³ 

Mazmur 69:5

69:5 O God, you are aware of my foolish sins; ⁴ 

my guilt is not hidden from you. ⁵ 

[38:5]  ¹ sn The reference to wounds may be an extension of the metaphorical language of v. 2. The psalmist pictures himself as one whose flesh is ripped and torn by arrows.

[38:5]  ² tn Heb “my wounds stink, they are festering” (cf. NEB).

[38:5]  ³ tn Heb “from before my foolishness.”

[69:5]  ⁴ tn Heb “you know my foolishness.”

[69:5]  ⁵ sn The psalmist is the first to admit that he is not perfect. But even so, he is innocent of the allegations which his enemies bring against him (v. 5b). God, who is aware of his foolish sins and guilt, can testify to the truth of his claim.