Psalms 38:11

11 My lovers and my friends keep away from my disease; my relations keep far away.

Psalms 38:11 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 38:11

My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore
As if it was a plague sore, lest they should be infected with it; or because they could not bear the stench of his wounds, and the loathsomeness of his disease, or to see him in his agonies, and hear his roaring and his groans, ( Psalms 38:2 Psalms 38:3 Psalms 38:5 Psalms 38:7-9 ) ; or as taking his case to be desperate, as if he was just dying, and no help could be given him, ( Psalms 38:10 ) ; If it was the leprosy, as some Jewish writers have affirmed, the word (egn) , translated "sore", being used for the plague of the leprosy, they were obliged by the ceremonial law to keep at a distance from him: but this rather seems to be voluntary, and to proceed from neglect and contempt. These "lovers" and "friends" were such for whom David had had an affection, and had been friendly to, and therefore it was ungrateful in them to act the part they did; and such who had pretended love and friendship to him in his health and prosperity, but now had deserted him, which is a common case; see ( Job 19:13 Job 19:14 Job 19:19 ) ( Psalms 69:8 ) ( 88:18 ) . Afflictions try men's friends; and as that is a time when friendly visits are most wanting and most useful, so it is an aggravation of the affliction, and makes it the heavier when such are denied;

and my kinsmen stand afar off;
that were near to him by the ties of nature or friendship.

Psalms 38:11 In-Context

9 Lord, all my desire is before you; my sorrow is not kept secret from you.
10 My heart goes out in pain, my strength is wasting away; as for the light of my eyes, it is gone from me.
11 My lovers and my friends keep away from my disease; my relations keep far away.
12 Those who have a desire to take my life put nets for me; those who are designing my destruction say evil things against me, all the day their minds are full of deceit.
13 But I kept my ears shut like a man without hearing; like a man without a voice, never opening his mouth.
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