Psalms 38:9-14 - Exposition

In this second strophe the physical are subordinated to the moral sufferings; the former being touched on in one verse only ( Psalms 38:10 ), the latter occupying the rest of the section. Of these the most tangible are the pain caused by the desertion of his "lovers," "friends," and "kinsmen" ( Psalms 38:11 ), and the alarm arising from the action taken, simultaneously, by his ill wishers and adversaries ( Psalms 38:12 ). These afflictions have reduced him to a condition of silence—almost of apathy, such as is described in Psalms 38:13 , Psalms 38:14 .