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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/38-15.htm" title="Psalm 38:15">◄</a> Psalm 38:16 <a href="/psalms/38-17.htm" title="Psalm 38:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/38.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/38.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />For I said, &#8220Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/38.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />I prayed, “Don’t let my enemies gloat over me or rejoice at my downfall.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/38.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For I said, “Only let them not rejoice over me, who boast against me when my foot slips!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/38.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For I said, “Let them not gloat over me—those who taunt me when my foot slips.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/38.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For I said, <i>Hear me</i>, lest <i>otherwise</i> they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify <i>themselves</i> against me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/38.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For I said, “<i>Hear me,</i> lest they rejoice over me, Lest, when my foot slips, they exalt <i>themselves</i> against me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/38.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For I said, “May they not rejoice over me, <i>Who,</i> when my foot slips, would exalt themselves over me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/38.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For I said, &#8220May they not rejoice over me, Who, when my foot slips, would magnify themselves against me.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/38.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For I said, “May they not rejoice over me, <i>Who,</i> when my foot slips, would magnify themselves against me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/38.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For I said, “<i>Save</i>, lest they be glad over me, <i>Who</i>, when my foot stumbles, magnify themselves against me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/38.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For I pray, “May they not rejoice over me, Who, when my foot slips, would boast against me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/38.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For I said, “Don’t let them rejoice over me — those who are arrogant toward me when I stumble.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/38.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For I said, &#8220Don&#8217t let them rejoice over me— those who are arrogant toward me when I stumble.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/38.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For I said, Lest they rejoice over me: When my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/38.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I said, "Don't let them laugh or brag when I slip and fall." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/38.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For I said, Lest they rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/38.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I said, "Do not let them gloat over me. When my foot slips, do not let them promote themselves at my expense."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/38.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Don't let my enemies gloat over my distress; don't let them boast about my downfall! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/38.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />For I said, "Do not let them gloat over me, as they congratulate themselves when my foot slips."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/38.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For I said, ?Let them not gloat over me?those who taunt me when my foot slips.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/38.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I have prayed for deliverance, because otherwise they will gloat over me; when my foot slips they will arrogantly taunt me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/38.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For I said, "Do not let them gloat over me, or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/38.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/38.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For I said, “Don’t let them gloat over me, or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/38.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />When I said, “Lest they rejoice over me, "" In the slipping of my foot they magnified themselves against me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/38.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> When I said, 'Lest they rejoice over me, In the slipping of my foot against me they magnified themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/38.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For, for thee, O Jehovah, I waited: thou wilt answer, O Jehovah my God.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/38.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For I said: Lest at any time my enemies rejoice over me : and whilst my feet are moved, they speak great things against me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/38.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 37:17>For I said, “Lest at any time, my enemies might rejoice over me,” and, “While my feet are being shaken, they have spoken great things against me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/38.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For I have said that they would gloat over me, exult over me if I stumble. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/38.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For I pray, “Only do not let them rejoice over me, those who boast against me when my foot slips.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/38.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Because I said, Hear me, lest they rejoice over me; they scoff at me when my feet waver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/38.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because I said, "Do not let them rejoice against me, and do not let them be exalted against me while my feet shake."<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/38.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For I said: 'Lest they rejoice over me; When my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/38.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For I said, Lest mine enemies rejoice against me: for when my feet were moved, they spoke boastingly against me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/38-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=4502" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/38.htm">Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>I wait for You, O LORD; You will answer, O Lord my God. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">I said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6435.htm" title="6435: pen- (Conj) -- Lest. From panah; properly, removal; used only adverb as conjunction, lest.">“Let them not</a> <a href="/hebrew/8055.htm" title="8055: yiś·mə·ḥū- (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- Rejoice, be glad. A primitive root; probably to brighten up, i.e. be blithe or gleesome.">gloat</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">over me—</a> <a href="/hebrew/1431.htm" title="1431: hiḡ·dî·lū (V-Hifil-Perf-3cp) -- To grow up, become great. A primitive root; properly, to twist, i.e. To be large.">those who taunt</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·lay (Prep:: 1cs) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">me</a> <a href="/hebrew/7272.htm" title="7272: raḡ·lî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Foot. From ragal; a foot; by implication, a step; by euphem. The pudenda.">when my foot</a> <a href="/hebrew/4131.htm" title="4131: bə·mō·wṭ (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To totter, shake, slip. A primitive root; to waver; by implication, to slip, shake, fall.">slips.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>For I am ready to fall, and my pain is ever with me.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/35-19.htm">Psalm 35:19</a></span><br />Let not my enemies gloat over me without cause, nor those who hate me without reason wink in malice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/35-24.htm">Psalm 35:24-25</a></span><br />Vindicate me by Your righteousness, O LORD my God, and do not let them gloat over me. / Let them not say in their hearts, “Aha, just what we wanted!” Let them not say, “We have swallowed him up!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/13-4.htm">Psalm 13:4</a></span><br />lest my enemy say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes rejoice when I fall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/25-2.htm">Psalm 25:2</a></span><br />in You, my God, I trust. Do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/41-11.htm">Psalm 41:11</a></span><br />By this I know that You delight in me, for my enemy does not triumph over me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/70-2.htm">Psalm 70:2-3</a></span><br />May those who seek my life be ashamed and confounded; may those who wish me harm be repelled and humiliated. / May those who say, “Aha, aha!” retreat because of their shame.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/71-13.htm">Psalm 71:13</a></span><br />May the accusers of my soul be ashamed and consumed; may those who seek my harm be covered with scorn and disgrace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/109-28.htm">Psalm 109:28</a></span><br />Though they curse, You will bless. When they rise up, they will be put to shame, but Your servant will rejoice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/16-9.htm">Job 16:9-10</a></span><br />His anger has torn me and opposed me; He gnashes His teeth at me. My adversary pierces me with His eyes. / They open their mouths against me and strike my cheeks with contempt; they join together against me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/30-9.htm">Job 30:9-10</a></span><br />And now they mock me in song; I have become a byword among them. / They abhor me and keep far from me; they do not hesitate to spit in my face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-46.htm">Lamentations 3:46</a></span><br />All our enemies open their mouths against us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/7-8.htm">Micah 7:8</a></span><br />Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will arise; though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-11.htm">Matthew 5:11-12</a></span><br />Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-39.htm">Matthew 27:39-44</a></span><br />And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads / and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!” / In the same way, the chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him, saying, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-22.htm">Luke 6:22-23</a></span><br />Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. / Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For their fathers treated the prophets in the same way.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slips, they magnify themselves against me.</p><p class="hdg">For I said</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/13-3.htm">Psalm 13:3,4</a></b></br> Consider <i>and</i> hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the <i>sleep of</i> death; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/35-24.htm">Psalm 35:24-26</a></b></br> Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me… </p><p class="hdg">foot</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/94-18.htm">Psalm 94:18</a></b></br> When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/32-35.htm">Deuteronomy 32:35</a></b></br> To me <i>belongeth</i> vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in <i>due</i> time: for the day of their calamity <i>is</i> at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.</p><p class="hdg">magnify</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/35-26.htm">Psalm 35:26</a></b></br> Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify <i>themselves</i> against me.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/34-2.htm">Boast</a> <a href="/psalms/37-34.htm">Exalt</a> <a href="/psalms/36-11.htm">Foot</a> <a href="/psalms/35-27.htm">Glad</a> <a href="/psalms/35-26.htm">Gloat</a> <a href="/psalms/38-15.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/psalms/35-26.htm">Magnify</a> <a href="/psalms/35-23.htm">Moved</a> <a href="/psalms/32-9.htm">Otherwise</a> <a href="/psalms/36-11.htm">Pride</a> <a href="/psalms/35-27.htm">Rejoice</a> <a href="/psalms/18-36.htm">Slipped</a> <a href="/job/12-5.htm">Slippeth</a> <a href="/psalms/26-1.htm">Slipping</a> <a href="/job/12-5.htm">Slips</a> <a href="/psalms/37-11.htm">Themselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/44-8.htm">Boast</a> <a href="/psalms/66-7.htm">Exalt</a> <a href="/psalms/66-6.htm">Foot</a> <a href="/psalms/40-9.htm">Glad</a> <a href="/psalms/59-10.htm">Gloat</a> <a href="/psalms/39-12.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/psalms/55-12.htm">Magnify</a> <a href="/psalms/39-2.htm">Moved</a> <a href="/psalms/51-16.htm">Otherwise</a> <a href="/psalms/40-4.htm">Pride</a> <a href="/psalms/39-13.htm">Rejoice</a> <a href="/psalms/73-2.htm">Slipped</a> <a href="/psalms/94-18.htm">Slippeth</a> <a href="/psalms/46-2.htm">Slipping</a> <a href="/psalms/94-18.htm">Slips</a> <a href="/psalms/39-6.htm">Themselves</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 38</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/38-1.htm">David moves God to take compassion on his pitiful case</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/38.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/38.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For I said,</b><br>This phrase indicates a personal declaration or prayer, reflecting the psalmist's intimate communication with God. It shows the psalmist's reliance on God for deliverance and justice. The use of "I said" suggests a moment of introspection or a plea, common in the Psalms, where the writer often turns to God in times of distress.<p><b>“Let them not gloat over me—</b><br>The psalmist is concerned about his adversaries' reactions to his misfortunes. Gloating implies a sense of triumph or malicious joy over someone else's difficulties. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, public shame and honor were significant, and the psalmist seeks to avoid the disgrace that would come from his enemies' mockery. This plea reflects a desire for God's intervention to prevent his enemies from gaining the upper hand.<p><b>those who taunt me</b><br>Taunting involves mocking or ridiculing, often with the intent to belittle or provoke. The psalmist's adversaries are not just passive observers but active participants in his suffering. This reflects the broader biblical theme of the righteous facing persecution and scorn from the wicked, as seen in other Psalms and prophetic writings. The psalmist's experience can be seen as a type of Christ, who also faced mockery and scorn, particularly during His passion (<a href="/matthew/27-29.htm">Matthew 27:29-31</a>).<p><b>when my foot slips.”</b><br>The imagery of a slipping foot suggests vulnerability and the potential for downfall. In biblical literature, a firm footing often symbolizes stability and righteousness, while slipping indicates danger or sin. This phrase may reflect the psalmist's awareness of his own weaknesses or the precariousness of his situation. It echoes other scriptural references to God as a protector who prevents the righteous from falling (<a href="/psalms/121-3.htm">Psalm 121:3</a>). The psalmist's plea for God to prevent his enemies from triumphing over his missteps underscores his dependence on divine grace and support.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/38.htm">Psalm 38</a>, David is expressing his deep distress and seeking God's intervention against his adversaries.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/adversaries.htm">Adversaries</a></b><br>The unspecified enemies who are taunting and seeking to gloat over David's missteps.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The divine being to whom David is directing his plea for help and protection.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_psalmist's_foot.htm">The Psalmist's Foot</a></b><br>Symbolic of David's stability and righteousness, which he fears may falter.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/taunting.htm">Taunting</a></b><br>The act of mocking or deriding, which David's enemies are doing in his time of vulnerability.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/reliance_on_god_in_times_of_weakness.htm">Reliance on God in Times of Weakness</a></b><br>David's plea highlights the importance of turning to God when we feel vulnerable or when our "foot slips."<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_adversaries.htm">The Reality of Adversaries</a></b><br>Believers should be aware that adversaries may seek to exploit their weaknesses, but God is their ultimate protector.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_and_repentance.htm">Humility and Repentance</a></b><br>Recognizing one's own faults and seeking God's help is crucial, as David does in acknowledging his potential to falter.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_pride.htm">Guarding Against Pride</a></b><br>Just as David asks God to prevent his enemies from gloating, believers should guard against pride and not rejoice in others' failures.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_as_a_weapon.htm">Prayer as a Weapon</a></b><br>David's prayer is a powerful example of using prayer to combat spiritual and emotional battles.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_38.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 38</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_faith_proof_of_unseen_things.htm">Who will guide me to the higher rock?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/psalm_121_3_vs._life's_hardships.htm">Psalm 121:3 - How can we reconcile 'He will not let your foot be moved' with the reality of suffering and hardship in life?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_an_angel_stand_on_land_and_sea.htm">How can an angel physically stand on land and sea simultaneously (Revelation 10:2) without defying known laws of physics?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_did_jesus_do_to_money_changers.htm">What is the meaning of 'God of Wonders'?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/38.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">Lest.</span>--It is better to carry on the force of the particle of condition:<p>For I said, Lest they should rejoice over me:<p>Lest, when my foot slipped, they should vaunt themselves against me.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/38.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me;</span> rather, <span class="accented">for I said</span>, <span class="accented">I will be silent</span>, <span class="accented">lest otherwise they should rejoice over me.</span> I feared lest by answering rashly or intemperately I might give my enemies occasion against me. I knew by experience that<span class="cmt_word">, when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.</span> They are always on the watch to catch at any slip on my part, and make it a ground for magnifying themselves and denying me. Hence my silence. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/38-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I said,</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֭מַרְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·mar·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Let them not</span><br /><span class="heb">פֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(pen-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6435.htm">Strong's 6435: </a> </span><span class="str2">Removal, lest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">gloat</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂמְחוּ־</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·mə·ḥū-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8055.htm">Strong's 8055: </a> </span><span class="str2">To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome</span><br /><br /><span class="word">over me—</span><br /><span class="heb">לִ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">those who taunt</span><br /><span class="heb">הִגְדִּֽילוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(hiḡ·dî·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1431.htm">Strong's 1431: </a> </span><span class="str2">To grow up, become great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">me</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלַ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·lay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">when my foot</span><br /><span class="heb">רַ֝גְלִ֗י</span> <span class="translit">(raḡ·lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7272.htm">Strong's 7272: </a> </span><span class="str2">A foot, a step, the pudenda</span><br /><br /><span class="word">slips.”</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּמ֥וֹט</span> <span class="translit">(bə·mō·wṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4131.htm">Strong's 4131: </a> </span><span class="str2">To waver, to slip, shake, fall</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/38-16.htm">Psalm 38:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/38-16.htm">Psalm 38:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/38-16.htm">Psalm 38:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/38-16.htm">Psalm 38:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/38-16.htm">Psalm 38:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/38-16.htm">Psalm 38:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/38-16.htm">Psalm 38:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/38-16.htm">Psalm 38:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/38-16.htm">Psalm 38:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/38-16.htm">Psalm 38:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/38-16.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 38:16 For I said Don't let them gloat (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/38-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 38:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 38:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/38-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 38:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 38:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>