Psalm 38:19-20 ESV

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:1-22

A fearful picture of the sufferings which a great sin can cause. Supposed to be one of David's penitential psalms. I. COMPLICATED MENTAL AND BODILY SUFFERING . ( Psalms 38:1-8 .) 1 . Dread of God ' s further anger. Guilt makes a man full of fear and apprehension ( Psalms 38:1 ). 2 . His sin was realized as an intolerable burden. ( Psalms 38:4 .) A load that he was unable to carry; or a great wave passing over his head and threatening to overwhelm him. 3... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:19

But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong . The psalmist goes back to the thought of his enemies, to whom he has made no answer, and whom he has not ventured to rebuke ( Psalms 38:13 , Psalms 38:14 ). He remembers that they are full of life and strength; he calls to mind the fact that they are many in number; he puts on record the cause of their enmity, which is not his sin, but his earnest endeavour to forsake his sin and follow after righteousness ( Psalms 38:20 ); and then,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 38:20

They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries (comp. Psalms 35:12 ). Because I follow the thing that good is; literally, because I follow good. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 38:19

But mine enemies are lively ... - DeWette renders this, “My enemies live and are strong.” The word translated “lively” - חיים chayiym - means properly “living, being alive.” The literal translation would be, “My enemies, being alive, are strong.” The idea is, that while he was weak and apparently near to death, they were in the full vigor of life and health. They were able to engage in active efforts to accomplish their purposes. They could take advantage of his weakness; and he could not... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 38:20

They also that render evil for good - They whose characteristic it is to return evil for good, are opposed to me. This implies that those who were now seeking his ruin had been formerly benefitted by him. They were persons who cherished no grateful recollection of favors bestowed on them, but who found a pleasure in persecuting and wronging their benefactor. Compare Psalms 35:12-16. “Are my adversaries.” Are now opposed to me; have become my enemies.Because I follow the thing that good is -... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 38:19-20

Psalms 38:19-20. Mine enemies are lively Hebrew, living; that is, thriving, flourishing, and prosperous. They that render evil for good That hate and persecute me, not only without any injury or provocation on my part, but, as it were, in requital of the good I have done to them. Because I follow the thing that good is Because I love and diligently practise justice and piety, which they hate, and which I exercised, as I had opportunity, in the punishment of such as they are. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:1-22

Psalm 38-39 The cries of the sickThe psalmist David felt that sometimes punishment for his sins took the form of sickness (e.g. Psalms 6:0) or opposition from those who envied or hated him (e.g. Psalms 25:0). Both elements appear again in the prayer of Psalms 38:0, which, being a confession of sin, was suitable to be offered with certain sacrifices.As the suffering David cries to God for mercy, he admits that, because of his sin, he deserves what he has got (38:1-4). He vividly describes the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 38:20

evil. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 . To the chief Musician. See App-64 . even to Jeduthun. See App-65 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Psalms 38:19

A RECAPITULATION OF VERSES 11-16"But mine enemies are lively and strong:And they that hate me are wrongfully multiplied.They also that render evil for goodAre adversaries unto me, because I follow the thing that is good.""Mine adversaries, etc." (Psalms 38:19-20). The fact that David's enemies were multiplied against him and threatening to destroy him was a source of the utmost anxiety on David's part. This is reason (4)."Because I follow the thing that is good" (Psalms 38:20). The only thing... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 38:19

19, 20. Still, while humbled before God, he is the victim of deadly enemies, full of malice and treachery. enemies are lively—literally, "of life," who would take my life, that is, deadly. read more