Psalms 38:11

THE REACTION OF OTHERS

"My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my plague;

And my kinsmen stand afar off.

They also that seek after my life lay snares for me;

And they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things,

And meditate deceits all the day long.

But I, as a deaf man, hear not;

And I am as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.

Yea, I am as a man that heareth not,

And in whose mouth are no reproofs.

For in thee, O Jehovah, do I hope:

Thou wilt answer, O Lord, my God.

For I said, Lest they rejoice over me:

When my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me."

"My lovers" (Psalms 38:11). Barnes tells us that the meaning of the Hebrew here is, "An acquaintance, a companion, or a friend."[14] In this context it refers to David's supporters.

As Kidner observed, "It is ironical that the more desperately a person needs the support of friends and loved ones the less likely he is to receive it"![15] As Rawlinson put it, "The stricken deer is deserted by the rest of the herd."[16]

"I am as a deaf man ... as a dumb man ... as a man that heareth not" (Psalms 38:13-14). Deafness and muteness are clearly figures of speech in this passage; and it is quite likely that the same metaphorical meaning of maladies mentioned previously in the same passage is intended.

"In whose mouth are no reproofs" (Psalms 38:14). The marginal alternative for `reproofs' here is `arguments.' indicating that David was in no mood whatever to attempt any self-justification.

"O Jehovah ... O Lord ... my God" (Psalms 38:15). There are three different names for God in this single verse, indicating, as Kidner observed, that, "David knew God by name (Yahweh) and by covenant (my God), and as Master and Savior (Psalms 38:22b)."[17]