Psalm 38:14-22

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 38:12-22

In these verses, I. David complains of the power and malice of his enemies, who, it should seem, not only took occasion from the weakness of his body and the trouble of his mind to insult over him, but took advantage thence to do him a mischief. He has a great deal to say against them, which he humbly offers as a reason why God should appear for him, as Ps. 25:19; Consider my enemies. 1. ?They are very spiteful and cruel: They seek my hurt; nay, they seek after my life,? Ps. 38:12. That life... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:14

Thus I was as a man that heareth not ,.... Any thing that is said unto him; he took no more notice of it than if he had never heard it; but bore all the railings and calumnies of men with calmness and patience; and in whose mouth are no reproofs ; as if he had nothing to say for himself, in vindication of his character, and to the refutation of his enemies; as if he had no arguments to make use of, for the conviction and reproof of his adversaries. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:15

For in thee, O Lord, do I hope ,.... That he would plead his cause against his accusers and revilers, and who sought his hurt; that he should be delivered out of their hands, and out of all his afflictions; that he should be healed of his diseases, both of soul and body, under which he laboured; and should again enjoy the light of God's countenance, and have the discoveries of his pardoning grace and mercy; and this was the reason why he was so calm and quiet amidst the unkindnesses of his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:16

For I said, hear me ,.... This he had expressed in prayer to God; he had committed his cause to him, and entreated him that he would hear and answer him; giving this as a reason, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me ; at his misfortunes and calamities, at the continuance of his trouble and distress, both of body and mind; when my foot slippeth ; as it sometimes did through the corruptions of nature, the temptations of Satan, and the snares of the world; which is more or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:17

For I am ready to halt ,.... Meaning either that there was a proneness in him to sin; see Jeremiah 20:10 ; or that he was subject to affliction and adversity, as the same word is rendered in Psalm 35:15 ; and the words are either a reason and argument used with the Lord, to hear and keep his foot from slipping, that so his enemies might not rejoice over him, and magnify themselves against him; as they would do should he fall into sin or into any calamity, both which he was liable to:... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:18

For I will declare mine iniquity ,.... Either to men, to ease his mind, justify God in his proceedings with him, and for their caution and admonition: or rather to God, against whom he had sinned, and who only could pardon him; with a view to which he was determined to make a free and open confession of it before him: I will be sorry for my sin , or "careful" F16 אדאג "solicitus ero", Montanus; so Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Gejerus, Michaelis, Ainsworth. about it; that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:19

But mine enemies are lively ,.... Or "living" F17 חיים "viventes", Pagninus, Montanus, Musculus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius. or "live"; not in a spiritual sense; for they had no lively hope, nor living faith, but were dead in trespasses and sins; nor merely in a natural sense, or corporeally, so David was living himself; but in great prosperity and worldly happiness, and so were brisk and cheerful, and lived a merry and pleasent life; and they are strong ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:20

They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries ,.... See Gill on Psalm 35:12 ; because I follow the thing that good is ; or "follow good"; a good God, whom his soul followed hard after, Psalm 63:8 ; the good Shepherd of the sheep, who led him into green pastures, whither he followed him, Psalm 23:1 ; the good Spirit of God his guide, whom he walked after, Romans 8:1 ; good and holy men of God, whom he took for examples and copied after; and every good work, which he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:21

Forsake me not, O Lord ,.... Or continue not to forsake; for he seems to have been under divine desertion, and might be under apprehensions that God had utterly forsaken him; which he entreats he would not, though his friends had forsook him, and his own strength had failed and left him, Psalm 38:10 ; O my God, be not far from me ; as to his gracious presence, and with respect to help and deliverance, otherwise God is not far from any of his creatures, being omnipresent. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 38:22

Make haste and help me ,.... Or, "for my help"; his case required haste, and God does help his people when none else can, and that right early; O Lord, my salvation ; by which it appears that his prayer was a prayer of faith; he saw that his salvation was in the Lord, and in no other; and though he had been and was in such a low condition, both in soul and body, yet his faith was not lost; that is an abiding grace, and will continue under the influence of the author and finisher of it,... read more

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