Psalms 38:12-22

12 Those seeking my life lay snares for me, those seeking to harm me speak of disaster and think up deceptions all day long.
13 But I'm like a deaf man - I don't hear it; and, like a mute, I don't say a word.
14 Yes, I've become like a man who doesn't hear and in whose mouth are no defenses.
15 For it is in you, ADONAI, that I hope. You will answer, Adonai my God.
16 I said, "Don't let them gloat over me or boast against me when my foot slips."
17 For I am about to fall, and my pain is always with me.
18 I acknowledge my guilt, I am anxious because of my sin.
19 But my enemies are alive and well, those who wrongfully hate me increase their numbers;
20 and, since they repay good with evil, they oppose me because I pursue good.
21 Don't abandon me, ADONAI! My God, don't be far from me!
22 Come quickly to help me, Adonai, my salvation!

Psalms 38:12-22 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.

Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.