Psalm 38 14

Psalm 38:14 kjv

Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs.

Psalm 38:14 nkjv

Thus I am like a man who does not hear, And in whose mouth is no response.

Psalm 38:14 niv

I have become like one who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply.

Psalm 38:14 esv

I have become like a man who does not hear, and in whose mouth are no rebukes.

Psalm 38:14 nlt

I choose to hear nothing,
and I make no reply.

Psalm 38 verses

Psalm 38 14 Meaning

Psalm 38:14 depicts David in a state of silent, unresisting suffering. Facing intense verbal attacks and accusations from his enemies, he chooses not to engage in verbal defense, argument, or counter-accusation. He presents himself as someone who either literally cannot hear the insults or, more likely, chooses to act as if he does not hear them, effectively withholding any response or retort. This posture indicates deep humility, profound distress, or a deliberate choice to trust God for vindication rather than defending himself with human words, reflecting a willingness to bear the suffering without retaliating.

Psalm 38 14 Context

Psalm 38 is a lament psalm by David, a penitential psalm where he confesses his sin, expresses deep physical and emotional suffering, and acknowledges that his afflictions are a direct consequence of his sin (v. 3-5). The psalmist describes his body wasting away (v. 6-8), friends and loved ones deserting him (v. 11), and, critically for this verse, his enemies actively seeking his life, speaking malicious lies against him, and plotting his downfall (v. 12). Verse 14, therefore, immediately follows the description of these intense verbal assaults from his adversaries. In this agonizing state of physical decay, social isolation, and relentless enemy persecution, David adopts a posture of absolute silence and non-resistance, contrasting sharply with the vitriolic speech directed against him. He trusts God as his only help and hopes in His ultimate answer (v. 15).

Psalm 38 14 Word analysis

• וָאֶהִי (wa-’ehi): "And I was" or "Thus I was/became." The prefix waw (and) connects this verse directly to the preceding description of his enemies' actions. Eh (ehiy) is from the verb hayah (to be, to exist, to become), indicating a state or condition that David entered or maintained. It suggests a deliberate or resulting posture.
• כְּאִישׁ (kə-'îsh): "Like a man." The preposition ke means "like" or "as." Ish means "man." It indicates a simile, drawing a parallel to someone characterized by a certain behavior. David describes his state of being as akin to this kind of person.
• אֲשֶׁר (asher): "who," "that." A relative pronoun linking "man" to the subsequent description.
• לֹא־שֹׁמֵעַ (lo'-shomea‘): "does not hear," "not hearing." Lo means "not" or "no." Shomea‘ is a participle from shama (to hear, listen, understand, obey). This implies more than mere deafness; it conveys an inability or choice not to register the incoming verbal assault. It's an active non-response to provocation, appearing as if one has not heard the accusations or insults, thus refusing to engage them.
• וְאֵין (wə-'ên): "and in it there is no," "and no." Waw (and) connecting this clause, ein means "there is not," or "nothing."
• בְּפִיו (bə-p̄îw): "in his mouth." Beth (bə-) is the preposition "in" or "with." Peh (mouth) is combined with the third-person masculine singular suffix -iw ("his"). This points to the organ of speech, emphasizing the absence of verbal reply.
• תּוֹכָחוֹת (tôḵāḥôṯ): "rebukes," "reproofs," "retorts," "arguments." This is the plural form of tokhahat, from the verb yakach (to argue, decide, judge, convict, prove, reprove). It signifies words used in contention, defense, or counter-accusation. David chooses not to offer any arguments, self-vindication, or challenges back to his adversaries. It's a deliberate withholding of his tongue from engaging in verbal conflict, despite being reviled. This goes beyond mere silence; it is silence specifically in response to contentious accusations.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "I am like a man who does not hear": This phrase metaphorically describes David's state. It is not necessarily literal deafness, but rather a deliberate choice or overwhelming state that renders him unresponsive to the hurtful and malicious words of his enemies. He refrains from acknowledging or reacting to the verbal onslaught, demonstrating extreme passivity or self-control in suffering.
• "and in whose mouth are no rebukes": This specifies the type of non-response. David has no counter-arguments, no defense, no words of self-justification, and no insults or reproofs to hurl back at his accusers. His mouth, which could be used for eloquent defense or fierce counter-attack, is utterly silent. This highlights a posture of humble endurance, an refusal to engage in the typical adversarial exchanges of that day.

Psalm 38 14 Bonus section

The profound silence expressed in Psalm 38:14 speaks not merely of restraint, but also potentially of a state of inner transformation. In the face of intense public shame and slander, the common human reaction is to furiously defend oneself. David's deviation from this instinct suggests either a complete surrender to his perceived fate or a conscious elevation above it through profound trust in God. His "not hearing" may imply that the external noise of accusations pales in comparison to the inner turmoil of his sin-induced suffering, or that he views his trials as divine discipline, making human criticism secondary. This posture of meekness and un-resistance against an overwhelming flood of verbal venom points directly to the ultimate suffering servant, Christ, who perfectly embodied this silent endurance. It serves as a reminder that sometimes the most powerful response to unrighteous attack is quiet forbearance, allowing God's justice to prevail, demonstrating true strength through humility.

Psalm 38 14 Commentary

Psalm 38:14 reveals a profound dimension of suffering and a response that often runs contrary to human instinct. David, amidst crushing physical ailments and venomous attacks from false friends and bitter enemies, refuses to verbally retaliate or even defend himself. His chosen silence—acting "as a man who does not hear" and offering "no rebukes"—is multi-layered. It might stem from utter exhaustion and despair, rendering him incapable of a reply. However, deeper biblical insights suggest it is more likely a conscious posture of humility before God, acknowledging his own sin (as detailed elsewhere in the psalm) which makes him hesitant to self-justify. Furthermore, this silence trusts in divine vindication rather than human arguments, an anticipation of God’s own response on his behalf (as desired in v. 15-16). This powerful image foreshadows Christ, who likewise remained silent before His accusers, offering no defense despite His perfect innocence (Isa 53:7, Matt 27:12-14, 1 Pet 2:23). For the believer, it offers a powerful example of endurance in the face of injustice, a call to practice patience, control over one's speech, and to entrust one's cause to God rather than always striving for self-vindication in the arena of human contention. This does not preclude speaking truth or righteousness when called upon, but rather speaks to personal attacks and the wise restraint of tongue in suffering.

• Practical Examples:
  • Choosing not to engage in a heated argument with someone who is unjustly slandering you, but instead silently committing the matter to prayer.
  • When wrongly accused at work or in social settings, deciding not to retaliate or vigorously defend every accusation, but trusting that your conduct and God will reveal the truth in due time.
  • Following Jesus' example, responding to insults with kindness or prayer, rather than mirroring the offensive words.