Psalms 38:11

11 My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away.

Psalms 38:11 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.
English Standard Version (ESV)
11 My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague, and my nearest kin stand far off.
New Living Translation (NLT)
11 My loved ones and friends stay away, fearing my disease. Even my own family stands at a distance.
The Message Bible (MSG)
11 old friends avoid me like the plague. My cousins never visit, my neighbors stab me in the back.
American Standard Version (ASV)
11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my plague; And my kinsmen stand afar off.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
11 My loved ones and my friends keep their distance and my relatives stand far away because of my sickness.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
11 My loved ones and friends stand back from my affliction, and my relatives stand at a distance.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
11 My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds. My neighbors stay far away from me.

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 All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.
10 My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes.
11 My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away.
12 Those who want to kill me set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they scheme and lie.
13 I am like the deaf, who cannot hear, like the mute, who cannot speak;

Cross References 1

  • 1. S ver 5; Psalms 31:11
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.