God’s Word Translation
Psalms 38:13
13But I am like a person who cannot hear and like a person who cannot speak.
Psalms 38:13 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.
- New International Version (NIV)I am like the deaf, who cannot hear, like the mute, who cannot speak;
- English Standard Version (ESV)But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear, like a mute man who does not open his mouth.
- New King James Version (NKJV)But I, like a deaf man, do not hear; And I am like a mute who does not open his mouth.
Context of Psalms 38:13
11My loved ones and my friends keep their distance and my relatives stand far away because of my sickness. 12Those who seek my life lay traps for me. Those who are out to harm me talk about ruining me. All day long they think of ways to deceive me. But I am like a person who cannot hear and like a person who cannot speak. 14I am like one who cannot hear and who can offer no arguments. 15But I wait with hope for you, O Lord. You will answer, O Lord, my God.
Read all of Psalms 38Psalms 38:13 word by word
וַאֲנִ֣י כְ֭חֵרֵשׁ לֹ֣א אֶשְׁמָ֑ע וּ֝כְאִלֵּ֗ם לֹ֣א יִפְתַּח־פִּֽיו׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 38:13
- Psalms 39:2I remained totally speechless. I kept silent, although it did me no good. While I was deep in thought, my pain grew worse.
- 2 Samuel 16:10But the king said, “You don’t think like me at all, sons of Zeruiah. Let him curse. If the Lord has told him, ‘Curse David,’ should anyone ask, ‘Why do you do that?’ ”
- Isaiah 53:7He was abused and punished, but he didn’t open his mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. He was like a sheep that is silent when its wool is cut off. He didn’t open his mouth.
- 1 Peter 2:23Christ never verbally abused those who verbally abused him. When he suffered, he didn’t make any threats but left everything to the one who judges fairly.
Commentaries on Psalms 38:13
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13But I, as a deaf man - I was conscious of my guilt, I could not vindicate myself; and I was obliged in silence to bear their insults.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13But I, as a deaf man, heard not - I was as if I had been deaf, and did not hear them or know what they were about. I took no notice of what they did anymore than if I had not heard them. That is, he did not reply to them; he did not become angry; he was as calm and patient as if they had said nothing. And I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth - As if I were a man that could not speak. I was perfectly silent under all this persecution. Compare 2…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-22Verses 12-22 Wicked men hate goodness, even when they benefit by it. David, in the complaints he makes of his enemies, seems to refer to Christ. But our enemies do us real mischief only when they drive us from God and our duty. The true believer's trouble will be made useful; he will learn to wait for his God, and will not seek relief from the world or himself. The less we notice the unkindness and injuries that are done us, the more we consult the quiet…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13The psalmist suffers quietly before his opponents (see Isaiah 53:7).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 13-1413-14. He patiently submits, uttering no reproaches or replies (Joh 19:9) to their insulting speeches;Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 38:13
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 38
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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