Psalm 38 16

Psalm 38:16 kjv

For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.

Psalm 38:16 nkjv

For I said, "Hear me, lest they rejoice over me, Lest, when my foot slips, they exalt themselves against me."

Psalm 38:16 niv

For I said, "Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip."

Psalm 38:16 esv

For I said, "Only let them not rejoice over me, who boast against me when my foot slips!"

Psalm 38:16 nlt

I prayed, "Don't let my enemies gloat over me
or rejoice at my downfall."

Psalm 38 verses

Psalm 38 16 Meaning

Psalm 38:16 articulates King David's desperate plea to God, born out of deep personal anguish and fear. His suffering, which he attributes to his sin and God's hand, has attracted adversaries who gloat over his weakening condition. The verse reveals a primary motivation for his prayer: he desires God's intervention specifically "lest they rejoice over me." His concern is not merely personal relief from affliction but the prevention of his enemies' malicious triumph. He dreads the scenario where his physical or spiritual "slip" becomes an opportunity for his foes to "extol themselves against me," magnifying their own perceived victory at his expense, thereby diminishing God's apparent faithfulness in the eyes of others. This is a prayer for vindication and for God's reputation to be upheld through David's deliverance.

Psalm 38 16 Context

Psalm 38 is a deeply personal lament of David, classified as a penitential psalm. He is suffering severely from a grave physical illness, which he perceives as a direct consequence of divine punishment for his sin (v. 1-8). This illness has left him utterly broken, without strength, groaning in heart-rending anguish. Compounding his physical distress, his friends and loved ones have abandoned him (v. 11), while his enemies seize the opportunity to slander him, lay traps, and openly rejoice in his perceived downfall (v. 12). Verses 13-15 describe David's humble silence and passive resistance to his accusers, relying solely on God. Verse 16 then explains his underlying motivation for this reliance and his subsequent plea to God. His silence is not resignation, but a posture of hope in God (v. 15), prompted by the acute awareness of his vulnerability and the malignant joy of his adversaries. He prays not just for relief from pain, but for God's action to prevent his enemies from confirming their unrighteous triumph over him.

Psalm 38 16 Word analysis

• For I said (כִּי־אָמַרְתִּי֙ - kî-’āmártî):

  • Kî is a conjunction often translated as "for," "because," "indeed," or "surely." Here it indicates the reason or basis for the preceding posture of hope in God (v. 15).
  • ’āmártî is the first-person singular perfect form of ’āmar (אָמַר), "to say," "to speak," but often means "to think," "to resolve," or "to purpose" in this context. It suggests an inward deliberation or conviction that compelled David to speak out to God.
  • Significance: This is not a casual remark but a settled internal resolve that propels his desperate prayer. His prayer arises from a deeply considered understanding of the stakes.

• Hear me (שִׁמְעֵ֥נִי - šim‘ḗnî):

  • Šim‘ḗnî is the imperative form of šāma‘ (שָׁמַע), "to hear," with the first-person singular suffix "me." This is a direct command/plea to God.
  • Significance: "Hear" in this biblical context goes beyond mere auditory perception; it implies attentive hearing that leads to a responsive action. It’s a desperate cry for God not just to listen, but to intervene.

• lest they rejoice over me (פֶּן־יִשְׂמְח֥וּ לִ֗י - pen-yiśmĕḥū lî):

  • Pen (פֶּן) means "lest," "so that not," expressing fear or warning against a potential negative outcome.
  • Yiśmĕḥū is the imperfect third-person plural of śāmaḥ (שָׂמַח), "to rejoice," "be glad." The imperfect tense suggests a continuous or habitual rejoicing.
  • Lî (לִי) is the preposition le (לְ), meaning "to" or "for," with the first-person singular suffix, so "to me" or "over me." This signifies a malicious rejoicing at David's expense or misfortune.
  • Significance: This is David's profoundest fear and the primary motivation for his prayer: that his suffering will provide a cruel gratification for his enemies. Such "rejoicing over" a fallen righteous one would also implicitly question God's justice or faithfulness. This concern touches on the honor of God.

• those who when my foot slips (בְּמוֹט רַגְלִֽי - bĕmōṭ raḡlî):

  • Bĕmōṭ (בְּמוֹט) is the preposition bĕ (בְּ) "in" or "when," combined with the infinitive construct of mūṭ (מוּט), meaning "to slip," "shake," "stumble," or "be overthrown."
  • Raḡlî (רַגְלִֽי) is "my foot," from regel (רֶגֶל).
  • Significance: This is a common Hebrew idiom representing instability, weakness, a physical or moral fall, or experiencing a setback/misfortune. Given the context of Psalm 38, it encompasses his physical affliction (making his footing unsteady), spiritual weakness (due to sin), and the general vulnerability of his situation that his enemies are exploiting. It speaks to a moment of weakness or failure that could lead to complete downfall.

• extol themselves against me (עָלַ֥י הִגְדִּ֑ילוּ - ʿālay hiḡdîlū):

  • ʿĀlay (עָלַ֥י) is the preposition ‘al (עַל), meaning "over," "against," or "concerning," with the first-person singular suffix "me."
  • Hiḡdîlū is the Hiphil perfect third-person plural of gādal (גָּדַל), "to be great," "become great," or "magnify." The Hiphil conjugation indicates causative action: "to cause to be great," "to magnify," "to extol," "to boast."
  • Significance: This phrase describes the arrogant, self-aggrandizing behavior of David's enemies. They don't just rejoice; they actively "make themselves great" or "magnify themselves" over David's distress. This is a boastful, triumphant exultation rooted in pride and mockery. Their "extolling" is not simply joy, but an elevation of themselves at David’s expense, presenting his downfall as proof of their superiority or divine favor on their side, a common polemic of the ancient Near East.

• Word-Groups Analysis:

  • "For I said, 'Hear me, lest they rejoice over me...'": This grouping reveals David's proactive, self-aware stance. He is articulating the precise reason he is appealing to God. The structure emphasizes the preventative nature of his prayer. His deep conviction prompts a specific, urgent petition to avert his enemies' malicious triumph.
  • "...those who when my foot slips extol themselves against me.": This group precisely defines "they" and clarifies the circumstances of their rejoicing and self-exaltation. It details the nature of their anticipated malevolence: opportunism and arrogant boasting at his vulnerability. Their "extolling themselves" is directly contingent upon his "foot slipping," highlighting the causal link in his adversaries' logic. It sets up a contrast between David's humility and vulnerability, and their inflated pride and aggressive actions.

Psalm 38 16 Bonus section

The phrase "when my foot slips" has multi-faceted connotations in Hebrew thought. While it certainly refers to physical stumbling or general misfortune in Psalm 38, given the penitential nature of the Psalm and David's confession of sin, it can also subtly refer to moral or spiritual failing that weakens one's position before God and people. His adversaries would interpret any stumble – physical, social, or moral – as God’s judgment upon him, validating their own animosity and claims.

Furthermore, this verse embodies a strong "polemic" (an argument against an opposing belief or system). In the ancient world, the downfall or suffering of a leader was often interpreted as the defeat of his god. By preventing his enemies from "extolling themselves," God would be affirming His power and sovereignty over pagan deities or the arrogant claims of the ungodly. David is asking God to actively counteract this blasphemous boasting, preserving both His own honor and the integrity of His servant.

Psalm 38 16 Commentary

Psalm 38:16 is a pivotal verse in David's lament, revealing the core fear and motivation behind his earnest prayer. It shows that his plea to God is not solely for relief from personal suffering, but is significantly driven by a concern for how his condition is perceived by his enemies. These adversaries are not merely passive observers but active exploiters of his distress, ready to "rejoice" and "extol themselves" once they see his "foot slips." This anticipated triumph, for David, carries profound theological implications: if his enemies prevail, it could be interpreted as a failure of God's justice or faithfulness towards His servant.

The fear of being shamed by his enemies is a recurring theme in the Psalms. It stems from the ancient understanding that an individual’s suffering, especially that of a righteous one, could be misconstrued as evidence of divine abandonment or judgment against him, thereby validating the unrighteous and their false claims. Thus, David's prayer here implicitly connects his personal plight with God's reputation. By asking God to "hear" him and prevent the enemy's triumph, David is appealing to God to vindicate His name and His righteousness.

This verse exemplifies the depth of faith even in extreme weakness. Despite being afflicted, abandoned, and under attack, David does not surrender to despair. Instead, he turns to the One who can uphold him, demonstrating a profound trust that God has the power and will to prevent the unrighteous from having the final say. His concern highlights the biblical tension between human vulnerability and divine sovereignty, and the role of God's people as a testimony (or counter-testimony) in the world.Examples:

• A believer struggling with a serious illness, tempted to doubt God, prays for strength, "Lest those who mock my faith see my downfall and rejoice over me."
• Someone facing slander and false accusations appeals to God for truth to be revealed, fearing their adversaries would boast if the lies seemed to prevail.
• A community enduring persecution asks God for deliverance, not only for their own sake but "lest the nations say, ‘Where is their God?’" (Ps 115:2).