But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
Parallel translations
- WEB But my enemies are vigorous and many. Those who hate me without reason are numerous.
- BSB Many are my enemies without cause, and many hate me without reason.
- NKJV But my enemies are vigorous, and they are strong; And those who hate me wrongfully have multiplied.
- NASB But my enemies are vigorous and strong, And those who wrongfully hate me are many.
- NLT I have many aggressive enemies; they hate me without reason.
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 contrasts his weakness with his enemies, who are strong, numerous, and hate him without cause. His afflictions multiply while theirs do not.
Overview
He laments the imbalance: he is failing while his foes flourish in their hostility. The phrase 'hate me without reason' echoes the experience of the righteous sufferer. Jesus applied this very kind of groundless hatred to Himself (John 15:25).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Ps 35:19Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.
- John 15:18–25If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
- Matt 10:22And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
- Ps 69:4They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.
- Ps 56:1–2Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.
- Ps 59:1–3Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.
- Ps 25:19Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.
- Ps 3:1Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
- Acts 4:25–28Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
- Ps 18:17He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.
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 38:19 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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