What does Psalm 38:1 mean?

David loved God, but he was not morally perfect (Psalm 38:18). This psalm may or may not have been connected to his sin with Bathsheba, where he knew he had violated at least two of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:13–14). He had committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged the death of her husband, Uriah (2 Samuel 12:7–9). David was not naïve about God's justice or His goodness. While he often praised God for mercy (Psalm 28:6; 86:15), he also knew God can be righteously angry and wrathful. Therefore, he asks God to lift His hand of discipline and cease to be angry and wrathful toward him.

God's love is immeasurable (Psalm 36:5), but He is also holy and just. His holiness is intrinsic, and His justice is impeccable. He exercises remedial discipline in the case of every believer who violates His commandments. The discipline may be painful, but it lasts only long enough to bring about repentance and confession. Hebrews 12:10 assures believers that God disciplines His children for their good, and verse 11 states: "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."