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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 38:21 Do not forsake me, O LORD; be not far from me, O my God.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/38-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/19_Psa_038_021.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 38:21 - Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do not forsake me, O LORD; be not far from me, O my God." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/38-21.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/38-21.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/38.htm">Chapter 38</a> > Verse 21</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.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/38-20.htm" title="Psalm 38:20">◄</a> Psalm 38:21 <a href="/psalms/38-22.htm" title="Psalm 38:22">►</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 />LORD, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/38.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Do not abandon me, O LORD. Do not stand at a distance, my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/38.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not forsake me, O LORD! O my God, be not far from me!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/38.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not forsake me, O LORD; be not far from me, O my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/38.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/38.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Do not forsake me, O LORD; O my God, be not far from me!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/38.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not abandon me, LORD; My God, do not be far from me!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/38.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Do not forsake me, O LORD; O my God, do not be far from me!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/38.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Do not forsake me, O LORD; O my God, do not be far from me!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/38.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Do not forsake me, O Yahweh; O my God, do not be far from me!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/38.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Do not abandon me, O LORD; O my God, do not be far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/38.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />LORD, do not abandon me; my God, do not be far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/38.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br /> LORD, do not abandon me; my God, do not be far from me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/38.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Forsake me not, O Jehovah: O my God, be not far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/38.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You are the LORD God! Stay nearby and don't desert me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/38.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/38.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Do not abandon me, O LORD. O my God, do not be so distant from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/38.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Do not abandon me, O LORD; do not stay away, my God! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/38.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Don't forsake me, LORD. My God, do not be so distant from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/38.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not forsake me, O LORD; be not far from me, O my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/38.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Do not abandon me, O LORD! My God, do not remain far away from me! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/38.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Do not forsake me, LORD. My God, do not be far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/38.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/38.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Don’t forsake me, Yahweh. My God, don’t be far from me. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/38.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not forsake me, O YHWH, "" My God, do not be far from me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/38.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Do not forsake me, O Jehovah, My God, be not far from me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/38.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they requiting evil for good will be mine adversaries, for my pursuing Thou wilt not forsake me, O Jehovah: my God, thou wilt not remove far off from me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/38.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Forsake me not, O Lord my God : do not thou depart from me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/38.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 37:22>Do not forsake me, O Lord my God. Do not depart from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/38.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Do not forsake me, O LORD; my God, be not far from me! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/38.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not forsake me, O LORD; O my God, do not be far from me;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/38.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Forsake me not, O LORD; O my God, be not far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/38.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Do not abandon me, LORD JEHOVAH, my God, and do not be far from me.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/38.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Forsake me not, O LORD; O my God, be not far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/38.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Forsake me not, O Lord my God: depart not from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/38-21.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=4533" 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">20</span>Those who repay my good with evil attack me for pursuing the good. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5800.htm" title="5800: ta·‘az·ḇê·nî (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms:: 1cs) -- To loosen, relinquish, permit. A primitive root; to loosen, i.e. Relinquish, permit, etc.">forsake me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">O LORD;</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">be not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7368.htm" title="7368: tir·ḥaq (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To be or become far or distant. A primitive root; to widen, i.e. recede or remove.">far</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: mim·men·nî (Prep:: 1cs) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">from me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hay (N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">O my God.</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior.…<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="/hebrews/13-5.htm">Hebrews 13:5</a></span><br />Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/31-6.htm">Deuteronomy 31:6</a></span><br />Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/1-5.htm">Joshua 1:5</a></span><br />No one shall stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-10.htm">Isaiah 41:10</a></span><br />Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/28-20.htm">Matthew 28:20</a></span><br />and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/4-16.htm">2 Timothy 4:16-17</a></span><br />At my first defense, no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be charged against them. / But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-22.htm">1 Samuel 12:22</a></span><br />Indeed, for the sake of His great name, the LORD will not abandon His people, because He was pleased to make you His own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/42-16.htm">Isaiah 42:16</a></span><br />I will lead the blind by a way they did not know; I will guide them on unfamiliar paths. I will turn darkness into light before them and rough places into level ground. These things I will do for them, and I will not forsake them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-18.htm">John 14:18</a></span><br />I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-31.htm">Romans 8:31</a></span><br />What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-9.htm">2 Corinthians 4:9</a></span><br />persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/28-15.htm">Genesis 28:15</a></span><br />Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/49-15.htm">Isaiah 49:15-16</a></span><br />“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you! / Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/12-9.htm">2 Corinthians 12:9</a></span><br />But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/4-5.htm">Philippians 4:5</a></span><br />Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.</p><p class="hdg">O my God</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/22-1.htm">Psalm 22:1,11,19,24</a></b></br> To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? <i>why art thou so</i> far from helping me, <i>and from</i> the words of my roaring? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/35-21.htm">Psalm 35:21,22</a></b></br> Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, <i>and</i> said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen <i>it</i>… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/38-11.htm">Far</a> <a href="/psalms/37-28.htm">Forsake</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/48-2.htm">Far</a> <a href="/psalms/71-9.htm">Forsake</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>Do not forsake me, O LORD;</b><br>This plea reflects a deep sense of dependence on God, a theme prevalent throughout the Psalms. The psalmist, traditionally understood to be David, often expresses a fear of divine abandonment, which resonates with the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. In <a href="/deuteronomy/31-6.htm">Deuteronomy 31:6</a>, God promises not to forsake His people, highlighting the psalmist's reliance on this assurance. The use of "LORD" (YHWH) emphasizes the covenant name of God, reminding the reader of His faithfulness and unchanging nature. This phrase also foreshadows Christ's cry on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (<a href="/matthew/27-46.htm">Matthew 27:46</a>), illustrating the depth of human suffering and the need for divine presence.<p><b>be not far from me, O my God.</b><br>The request for God's nearness underscores the psalmist's desire for intimacy and protection. In the ancient Near Eastern context, proximity to a deity was associated with favor and blessing. The personal possessive "my God" indicates a personal relationship, reflecting the individual’s trust and reliance on God. This plea is echoed in other Psalms, such as <a href="/psalms/22-11.htm">Psalm 22:11</a>, where the psalmist seeks God's presence in times of trouble. Theologically, this reflects the omnipresence of God, a comforting doctrine for believers who seek assurance of His constant presence. The phrase also points to the incarnation of Christ, God coming near to humanity, fulfilling the ultimate desire for divine closeness.<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 a deep sense of need for God's presence and help.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal presence and faithfulness.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God (Elohim)</a></b><br>A name for God that highlights His power and might, often used in contexts of creation and sovereignty.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_psalmist's_distress.htm">The Psalmist's Distress</a></b><br>The context of the psalm is one of personal anguish, possibly due to sin or illness, where the psalmist feels abandoned and in desperate need of God's intervention.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_human_frailty.htm">The Reality of Human Frailty</a></b><br>Recognize that even the most faithful believers, like David, experience times of weakness and distress. It's important to acknowledge our need for God's presence and help.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_god's_presence.htm">The Importance of God's Presence</a></b><br>Understand that God's presence is a source of comfort and strength. In times of trouble, our first response should be to seek Him earnestly.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness.htm">God's Faithfulness</a></b><br>Trust in God's promise to never forsake His people. Even when we feel distant from Him, He remains close and attentive to our cries.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_as_a_lifeline.htm">Prayer as a Lifeline</a></b><br>Emphasize the importance of prayer in maintaining a close relationship with God. Like David, we should not hesitate to express our deepest fears and needs to Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god.htm">Dependence on God</a></b><br>Cultivate a heart of dependence on God, recognizing that our strength and security come from Him alone.<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/why_is_god's_punishment_an_ailment_in_psalm_38_7.htm">Why does Psalm 38:7 portray God’s punishment as an ailment when other Scriptures emphasize mercy and healing? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_82_1_fit_with_deut._6_4.htm">How can a 'divine council' (Psalm 82:1) fit with passages claiming there is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_god's_wrath_reconciled_with_love.htm">Psalm 21:8-10: How can the depiction of God's fiery wrath be reconciled with other scriptures portraying God as loving and merciful?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_140_10_show_mercy.htm">How does calling for coals of fire upon evildoers in Psalm 140:10 align with the concept of a merciful God?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/38.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Forsake me not, O Lord</span> (comp. <a href="/psalms/27-9.htm">Psalm 27:9</a>; <a href="/psalms/71-9.htm">Psalm 71:9, 18</a>; <a href="/psalms/119-8.htm">Psalm 119:8</a>). God never really forsakes his saints (<a href="/psalms/37-28.htm">Psalm 37:28</a>). He withdraws sometimes for wise purposes the sense of his presence and favour, so that they feel as if they were forsaken; but this is only temporary., <span class="cmt_word">O my God, be not far from me</span> (comp. <a href="/psalms/22-19.htm">Psalm 22:19</a>; <a href="/psalms/35-22.htm">Psalm 35:22</a>; <a href="/psalms/71-12.htm">Psalm 71:12</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/38-21.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">Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">אַל־</span> <span class="translit">(’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">forsake me,</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּֽעַזְבֵ֥נִי</span> <span class="translit">(ta·‘az·ḇê·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5800.htm">Strong's 5800: </a> </span><span class="str2">To loosen, relinquish, permit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O LORD;</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">be not</span><br /><span class="heb">אַל־</span> <span class="translit">(’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">far</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּרְחַ֥ק</span> <span class="translit">(tir·ḥaq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7368.htm">Strong's 7368: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become far or distant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from me,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִמֶּֽנִּי׃</span> <span class="translit">(mim·men·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O my God.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱ֝לֹהַ֗י</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/38-21.htm">Psalm 38:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/38-21.htm">Psalm 38:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/38-21.htm">Psalm 38:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/38-21.htm">Psalm 38:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/38-21.htm">Psalm 38:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/38-21.htm">Psalm 38:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/38-21.htm">Psalm 38:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/38-21.htm">Psalm 38:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/38-21.htm">Psalm 38:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/38-21.htm">Psalm 38:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/38-21.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 38:21 Don't forsake me Yahweh (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/38-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 38:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 38:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/38-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 38:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 38:22" /></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>