Psalms 38:11 - Exposition

My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore ; or, from my stroke (comp. Psalms 39:10 , where the same word is used). The psalmist feels himself to be "stricken, smitten of God" ( Isaiah 53:4 ). He looks for comfort and sympathy to his friends, but they, with a selfishness that is only too common, hold aloof, draw away item him, and desert him (comp. Job 19:13 , Job 19:14 ). And my kinsmen stand afar off ; or, my neighbours. The stricken deer is forsaken by the rest of the herd (comp. Matthew 26:56 , Matthew 26:58 ).