For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.
Parallel translations
- WEB For I said, “Don’t let them gloat over me, or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips.”
- BSB For I said, “Let them not gloat over me—those who taunt me when my foot slips.”
- NKJV For I said, “Hear me, lest they rejoice over me, Lest, when my foot slips, they exalt themselves against me.”
- NASB For I said, “May they not rejoice over me, Who, when my foot slips, would exalt themselves over me.”
- NLT I prayed, “Don’t let my enemies gloat over me or rejoice at my downfall.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
David prays that his enemies not be allowed to gloat over his stumbling. He fears his fall would dishonor God and embolden the wicked.
Overview
His concern is not merely personal but that the mockery of foes would seem to triumph over the righteous cause. He commits his reputation and standing to God's care. The believer rightly prays that God's name not be reproached through his weakness.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- Deut 32:35To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
- Ps 94:18When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.
- Ps 35:24–26Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me.
- Ps 13:3–4Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 38:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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