Psalms 38:5 Meaning and Explanation
“My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The consequences of folly are decay and corruption, foul and deteriorating.
The Context of Psalms 38:5
Describing how folly, left unhealed, deepens and spreads.
What Does Psalms 38:5 Mean?
Wounds that stink and corrupt are images of unchecked moral damage spreading, becoming worse with time. 'Foolishness' here is not mere ignorance but willful disregard—choice that hardens into harm.
The vivid imagery—rotting flesh, foulness—does not exaggerate the spiritual truth: unaddressed sin does not stabilize but decays. The deterioration is real and visible.
Psalms 38:5 in the Original Language
nabal (נָבַל), 'foolishness'—not stupidity but moral senselessness, the rejection of God's wisdom.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 38:5
What does Psalms 38:5 mean?
The consequences of folly are decay and corruption, foul and deteriorating.
What is the context of Psalms 38:5?
Describing how folly, left unhealed, deepens and spreads.