Bible Quiz – Psalm 38 (Subjective Questions)

 

Bible Quiz – Psalm 38 (Subjective Questions) 

Psalm 38 is a deeply emotional prayer of repentance traditionally attributed to David. It reveals the sorrow of a heart burdened by sin, physical suffering, and isolation—yet still clinging to hope in the Lord. This psalm teaches us about confession, humility, and trusting God even in seasons of pain.

Take this quiz prayerfully and thoughtfully. Let each question lead you into reflection as well as learning.

 

📝 Instructions

Answer the following subjective questions in your own words.

Support your answer using the complete reference verse.

Do not write incomplete sentences.

Answers, references, and full verses are provided after the quiz section.

 

📚 Quiz Section – Psalm 38

 

1.                How does the psalmist describe God’s discipline in the opening verse of Psalm 38?

 

2.                What metaphors does the psalmist use to describe the weight and burden of his sins?

 

3.                How does the psalmist portray his physical condition as a result of his distress?

 

4.                In what way does the psalmist express his emotional anguish and inner turmoil?

 

5.                What does Psalm 38 reveal about the psalmist’s relationship with his friends and companions during his suffering?

 

6.                How do the enemies of the psalmist respond to his weakened state?

 

7.                What attitude does the psalmist adopt toward those who accuse him?

 

8.                How does the psalmist confess his sin before God?

 

9.                In whom does the psalmist place his hope despite his suffering?

 

10.          What final plea does the psalmist make to the Lord at the end of the chapter?

 

Answers with Complete Reference Verses

 

1. God’s Discipline

Answer: The psalmist asks the Lord not to rebuke him in anger or discipline him in wrath.

Reference: Psalm 38:1

Verse: “O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.”

 

2. The Burden of Sin

Answer: The psalmist describes his sins as overwhelming him like a heavy burden that is too heavy to bear.

Reference: Psalm 38:4

Verse: “For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.”

 

3. Physical Condition

Answer: He describes his body as having no soundness and speaks of wounds that are corrupt because of his foolishness.

Reference: Psalm 38:3, 5

Verse:

“There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.” (38:3)

“My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.” (38:5)

 

4. Emotional Anguish

Answer: The psalmist expresses that he is troubled, bowed down greatly, and mourns all day long.

Reference: Psalm 38:6

Verse: “I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.”

 

5. Relationship with Friends

Answer: His loved ones and friends stand afar off from his suffering.

Reference: Psalm 38:11

Verse: “My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.”

 

6. Enemies’ Response

Answer: His enemies seek his life and speak mischievous things, imagining deceit all day long.

Reference: Psalm 38:12

Verse: “They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.”

 

7. His Attitude Toward Accusers

Answer: He remains silent like a deaf and mute man who does not respond to accusations.

Reference: Psalm 38:13–14

Verse:

“But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.” (38:13)

“Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs.” (38:14)

 

8. Confession of Sin

Answer: The psalmist openly declares his iniquity and is sorry for his sin.

Reference: Psalm 38:18

Verse: “For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.”

 

9. His Hope in the Lord

Answer: The psalmist places his hope in the Lord, trusting that God will hear and answer him.

Reference: Psalm 38:15

Verse: “For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.”

 

10. Final Plea

Answer: He pleads with the Lord not to forsake him and to come quickly to help him.

Reference: Psalm 38:21–22

Verse:

“Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not far from me.” (38:21)

“Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.” (38:22)

 

Psalm 38 reminds us that confession brings us closer to God, even in seasons of suffering. Though burdened and alone, the psalmist does not turn away from the Lord—he turns toward Him. That is the heart of repentance.

If this quiz helped you grow deeper in understanding Psalm 38, consider:

Reading the entire psalm aloud as a personal prayer.

Sharing this quiz with your Bible study group.

Exploring another psalm of repentance, such as Psalm 51, for further study.

 

📖 Bible Quiz – Psalm 38

🔥 Advanced “Trick the Scholar” Round

Psalm 38, attributed to David, is one of the penitential psalms. This advanced round is designed to challenge careful readers. The questions focus on close wording, theological nuance, and subtle contrasts within the text. Read slowly—many answers depend on precise phrases.

 

📝 Instructions

Answer in complete sentences.

Base your response strictly on Psalm 38.

Pay close attention to repeated words, contrasts, and progression of thought.

Answers, references, and full verses are provided after the quiz section.

 

📚 Quiz Section – Advanced Round

 

1.        In Psalm 38:1, what two forms of divine correction are mentioned, and how are they emotionally qualified?

 

2.        According to Psalm 38:2, what two body-related images are used to describe God’s hand of discipline?

 

3.        What dual cause does the psalmist give for the lack of soundness in his flesh and bones?

 

4.        In Psalm 38:4, how does the psalmist describe both the position and the weight of his iniquities?

 

5.        What specific reason does the psalmist give for the corruption of his wounds?

 

6.        Psalm 38:9 reveals something about God’s awareness. What two aspects of the psalmist’s suffering are fully known to the Lord?

 

7.        In Psalm 38:10, what three physical or emotional symptoms are listed together?

 

8.        In Psalm 38:15, what confidence does the psalmist express about the Lord’s future action?

 

9.        In Psalm 38:19–20, what contrast is drawn between the psalmist’s condition and his enemies’ condition?

 

10.  The closing verses contain two urgent appeals. What are the two specific requests made in Psalm 38:21–22?

 

Answers with Complete Reference Verses

 

1. Two Forms of Divine Correction

Answer: The psalmist mentions rebuke and chastening, and he asks that they not be carried out in wrath or hot displeasure.

Reference: Psalm 38:1

Verse: “O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.”

 

2. Body-Related Images of Discipline

Answer: The psalmist says that God’s arrows stick fast in him and that God’s hand presses him sore.

Reference: Psalm 38:2

Verse: “For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.”

 

3. Dual Cause of Physical Distress

Answer: The lack of soundness in his flesh is because of God’s anger, and the lack of rest in his bones is because of his own sin.

Reference: Psalm 38:3

Verse: “There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.”

 

4. Position and Weight of Iniquities

Answer: His iniquities have gone over his head, and they are like a heavy burden that is too heavy for him.

Reference: Psalm 38:4

Verse: “For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.”

 

5. Reason for Corrupt Wounds

Answer: His wounds are corrupt because of his foolishness.

Reference: Psalm 38:5

Verse: “My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.”

 

6. God’s Full Awareness

Answer: The Lord knows all his desire, and his groaning is not hidden from Him.

Reference: Psalm 38:9

Verse: “Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.”

 

7. Three Symptoms Listed Together

Answer: His heart panteth, his strength faileth him, and the light of his eyes is gone from him.

Reference: Psalm 38:10

Verse: “My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.”

 

8. Confidence in God’s Future Action

Answer: The psalmist expresses confidence that the Lord will hear and answer him.

Reference: Psalm 38:15

Verse: “For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.”

 

9. Contrast Between Psalmist and Enemies

Answer: While the psalmist is weak and sorrowful, his enemies are lively and strong, and they multiply in number and hatred.

Reference: Psalm 38:19–20

Verse:

“But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.” (38:19)

“They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.” (38:20)

 

10. Two Urgent Appeals

Answer: He asks the Lord not to forsake him and to make haste to help him.

Reference: Psalm 38:21–22

Verse:

“Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not far from me.” (38:21)

“Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.” (38:22)

 

This psalm moves from discipline to confession to hope. Even under conviction and suffering, the psalmist never stops praying. That is the quiet strength of faith.

 

📖 Bible Quiz – Psalm 38

🔎 Advanced “Cross-Reference Trap” Round

Psalm 38, traditionally attributed to David, shares themes with other penitential psalms—especially Psalm 6, Psalm 32, and Psalm 51.

But here’s the challenge: many verses sound similar across these psalms. This round will test whether you can distinguish what belongs specifically to Psalm 38 and what belongs elsewhere.

Read carefully. The wording matters.

 

📝 Instructions

Answer in complete sentences.

Identify whether the statement belongs specifically to Psalm 38.

If it does not, name the correct psalm.

Answers, references, and complete verses are provided after the quiz section.

 

📚 Quiz Section – Cross-Reference Trap

 

1.        Which psalm says, “Rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure”—Psalm 38, Psalm 6, or both?

 

2.        Which psalm declares, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered”—Psalm 38 or Psalm 32?

 

3.        In which psalm does the writer say that his sins are “gone over mine head” like a heavy burden?

 

4.        Which psalm contains the prayer, “Create in me a clean heart, O God”?

 

5.        In which psalm does the writer remain silent like a deaf man who does not open his mouth?

 

6.        Which psalm states that when the writer kept silent, his bones waxed old through roaring all the day long?

 

7.        In which psalm does the writer describe his wounds as corrupt because of his foolishness?

 

8.        Which psalm ends with the plea, “Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation”?

 

9.        In which psalm does the writer explicitly say, “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned”?

 

10.  Which psalm emphasizes that the Lord forgave the iniquity of the writer’s sin after confession?

 

Answers with Complete Reference Verses

 

1. Rebuke Me Not in Anger

Answer: Both Psalm 38 and Psalm 6 contain similar wording.

Reference:

Psalm 38:1 – “O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.”

Psalm 6:1 – “O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.”

 

2. Blessed Is He Whose Transgression Is Forgiven

Answer: This belongs to Psalm 32, not Psalm 38.

Reference: Psalm 32:1

Verse: “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”

 

3. Sins Gone Over My Head

Answer: This belongs specifically to Psalm 38.

Reference: Psalm 38:4

Verse: “For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.”

 

4. Create in Me a Clean Heart

Answer: This belongs to Psalm 51.

Reference: Psalm 51:10

Verse: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

 

5. Silent Like a Deaf Man

Answer: This belongs to Psalm 38.

Reference: Psalm 38:13–14

Verse:

“But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.” (38:13)

“Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs.” (38:14)

 

6. Bones Waxed Old Through Silence

Answer: This belongs to Psalm 32.

Reference: Psalm 32:3

Verse: “When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.”

 

7. Corrupt Wounds Because of Foolishness

Answer: This belongs specifically to Psalm 38.

Reference: Psalm 38:5

Verse: “My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.”

 

8. Make Haste to Help Me

Answer: This closing plea appears in Psalm 38.

Reference: Psalm 38:22

Verse: “Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.”

 

9. Against Thee, Thee Only, Have I Sinned

Answer: This belongs to Psalm 51.

Reference: Psalm 51:4

Verse: “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight.”

 

10. Forgave the Iniquity of My Sin

Answer: This belongs to Psalm 32.

Reference: Psalm 32:5

Verse: “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.”

 

Psalm 38 is unique in its vivid physical imagery and its tone of prolonged suffering, even while sharing language with other penitential psalms. Recognizing these distinctions deepens both study and appreciation.