Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 38:5

"My wounds are loathsome and corrupt, Because of my foolishness." — Psalms 38:5 (ASV)

Wounds. —Better, stripes, as in the Septuagint.

Stink and are corrupt. —Both words denote suppuration: the first refers to the offensive smell, and the second to the discharge of matter. The whole passage recalls Isaiah 1:6 and following.

Foolishness. —People are generally even more reluctant to confess their folly than their sins.