Psalm 38:12

12 Those who seek my life ¹lay their snares; those who seek my hurt ²speak of ruin and meditate ³treachery all day long.

Psalm 38:12 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 38:12

They also that seek after my life
His avowed and implacable enemies, whom nothing would satisfy but the taking away of his life: these came too near him; for these, he says,

lay snares [for me],
as Satan does for the souls of men, as the Jews did for Christ, and as wicked men do for the saints, ( Psalms 124:7 ) ;

and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things;
to the injury of his character and reputation:

and imagine deceits all the day long;
contrive artful schemes to deceive; see ( Psalms 35:20 ) .

Psalm 38:12 In-Context

10 My heart throbs; my strength fails me, and the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me.

11 My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague, and my nearest kin stand far off.

12 Those who seek my life lay their snares; those who seek my hurt speak of ruin and meditate treachery all day long.

13 But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear, like a mute man who does not open his mouth.

14 I have become like a man who does not hear, and in whose mouth are no rebukes.

Cross References

• 1. 38:12 [Matt. 22:15]; Mark 12:13; Luke 20:20; See 2 Sam. 17:1-3
• 2. 38:12 [2 Sam. 16:7, 8]
• 3. 38:12 Ps. 35:20