Psalms 38:13-22

13 (37-14) But I, as a deaf man, heard not: and as a dumb man not opening his mouth.
14 (37-15) And I became as a man that heareth not: and that hath no reproofs in his mouth.
15 (37-16) For in thee, O Lord, have I hoped: thou wilt hear me, O Lord my God.
16 (37-17) For I said: Lest at any time my enemies rejoice over me: and whilst my feet are moved, they speak great things against me.
17 (37-18) For I am ready for scourges: and my sorrow is continually before me.
18 (37-19) For I will declare my iniquity: and I will think of my sin.
19 (37-20) But my enemies live, and are stronger than I: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
20 (37-21) They that render evil for good, have detracted me, because I followed goodness.
21 (37-22) For sake me not, O Lord my God: do not thou depart from me.
22 (37-23) Attend unto my help, O Lord, the God of my salvation.

Psalms 38:13-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 38

\\<>\\. This psalm was composed by David under some sore affliction, and when in great distress of mind by reason of sin, perhaps his sin with Bathsheba; and was written as a memorial of his sense of sin, of his great afflictions, and deliverance from them; and therefore is said to be "to bring to remembrance", or to refresh his memory with the said things. Kimchi and Ben Melech think the psalm was made for the sake of such as are in distress, to put them in mind and teach them how to pray. The Targum calls the psalm, ``a good remembrance concerning Israel;'' and Jarchi says it was to remember the distress of Israel before the Lord, and that it is said with respect to all Israel; though others think the word "lehazcir" is the name of a psalm tune; and Aben Ezra was of opinion that it was the first word of some pleasant poem. The Septuagint version adds, ``concerning the sabbath,'' as if it was wrote to put persons in mind of that day; whereas there is nothing in the whole psalm that has any such tendency.

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