New International Version For I said, “Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.” New Living Translation I prayed, “Don’t let my enemies gloat over me or rejoice at my downfall.” English Standard Version For I said, “Only let them not rejoice over me, who boast against me when my foot slips!” Berean Standard Bible For I said, “Let them not gloat over me—those who taunt me when my foot slips.” Berean Literal Bible For I said, “Lest they rejoice over me; in the slipping of my foot they magnify themselves against me.” King James Bible For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me. New King James Version For I said, “Hear me, lest they rejoice over me, Lest, when my foot slips, they exalt themselves against me.” New American Standard Bible For I said, “May they not rejoice over me, Who, when my foot slips, would exalt themselves over me.” NASB 1995 For I said, “May they not rejoice over me, Who, when my foot slips, would magnify themselves against me.” NASB 1977 For I said, “May they not rejoice over me, Who, when my foot slips, would magnify themselves against me.” Legacy Standard Bible For I said, “Save, lest they be glad over me, Who, when my foot stumbles, magnify themselves against me.” Amplified Bible For I pray, “May they not rejoice over me, Who, when my foot slips, would boast against me.” Berean Annotated Bible For I said, “Let them not gloat over me—those who taunt me when my foot slips. Christian Standard Bible For I said, “Don’t let them rejoice over me — those who are arrogant toward me when I stumble.” Holman Christian Standard Bible For I said, “Don’t let them rejoice over me— those who are arrogant toward me when I stumble.” American Standard Version For I said, Lest they rejoice over me: When my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me. Contemporary English Version I said, "Don't let them laugh or brag when I slip and fall." English Revised Version For I said, Lest they rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me. GOD'S WORD® Translation I said, "Do not let them gloat over me. When my foot slips, do not let them promote themselves at my expense." Good News Translation Don't let my enemies gloat over my distress; don't let them boast about my downfall! International Standard Version For I said, "Do not let them gloat over me, as they congratulate themselves when my foot slips." NET Bible I have prayed for deliverance, because otherwise they will gloat over me; when my foot slips they will arrogantly taunt me. New Heart English Bible For I said, "Do not let them gloat over me, or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips." Webster's Bible Translation For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleFor I said, “Let them not gloat over me—those who taunt me when my foot slips.” World English Bible For I said, “Don’t let them gloat over me, or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWhen I said, “Lest they rejoice over me, "" In the slipping of my foot they magnified themselves against me.” Berean Literal Bible For I said, “Lest they rejoice over me; in the slipping of my foot they magnify themselves against me.” Young's Literal Translation When I said, 'Lest they rejoice over me, In the slipping of my foot against me they magnified themselves. Smith's Literal Translation For, for thee, O Jehovah, I waited: thou wilt answer, O Jehovah my God. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor I said: Lest at any time my enemies rejoice over me : and whilst my feet are moved, they speak great things against me. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible For I have said that they would gloat over me, exult over me if I stumble. New Revised Standard Version For I pray, “Only do not let them rejoice over me, those who boast against me when my foot slips.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBecause I said, Hear me, lest they rejoice over me; they scoff at me when my feet waver. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Because I said, "Do not let them rejoice against me, and do not let them be exalted against me while my feet shake." OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917For I said: 'Lest they rejoice over me; When my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.' Brenton Septuagint Translation For I said, Lest mine enemies rejoice against me: for when my feet were moved, they spoke boastingly against me. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger…15I wait for You, O LORD; You will answer, O Lord my God. 16For I said, “Let them not gloat over me— those who taunt me when my foot slips.” 17For I am ready to fall, and my pain is ever with me.… Cross References For I said, Psalm 39:1 For the choirmaster. For Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, “I will watch my ways so that I will not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are present.” Psalm 77:10 So I said, “I am grieved that the right hand of the Most High has changed.” Psalm 116:11 In my alarm I said, “All men are liars!” “Let them not gloat over me— Psalm 35:19 Let not my enemies gloat over me without cause, nor those who hate me without reason wink in malice. Psalm 25:2 in You, my God, I trust. Do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me. Psalm 41:11 By this I know that You delight in me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. those who taunt me Psalm 22:7-8 All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads: / “He trusts in the LORD, let the LORD deliver him; let the LORD rescue him, since He delights in him.” Psalm 35:21 They gape at me and say, “Aha, aha! Our eyes have seen!” Matthew 27:39 And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads when my foot slips.” Psalm 94:18 If I say, “My foot is slipping,” Your loving devotion, O LORD, supports me. Psalm 73:2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. Psalm 17:5 My steps have held to Your paths; my feet have not slipped. Psalm 35:24-25 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!” Psalm 13:4 lest my enemy say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes rejoice when I fall. Psalm 70:2-3 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. Psalm 71:13 May the accusers of my soul be ashamed and consumed; may those who seek my harm be covered with scorn and disgrace. Treasury of Scripture For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slips, they magnify themselves against me. For I said Psalm 13:3,4 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; … Psalm 35:24-26 Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me… foot Psalm 94:18 When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up. Deuteronomy 32:35 To 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. magnify Psalm 35:26 Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me. Jump to Previous Boast Exalt Foot Glad Gloat Hear Magnify Moved Otherwise Pride Rejoice Slipped Slippeth Slipping Slips ThemselvesJump to Next Boast Exalt Foot Glad Gloat Hear Magnify Moved Otherwise Pride Rejoice Slipped Slippeth Slipping Slips ThemselvesPsalm 38 1. David moves God to take compassion on his pitiful caseFor I said, For I said, the psalmist brings his fear directly to God, seeking His protection amid affliction and weakness. Psa 39:1 For the choirmaster. For Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.… “Let them not gloat over me— He asks that his suffering not become an occasion for his enemies’ triumph or public scorn. Psa 35:19 Let not my enemies gloat over me without cause,… those who taunt me His opponents watch for evidence of failure and use his distress to mock him. Psa 22:7-8 All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads:… when my foot slips.” A stumble would give them reason to exalt themselves, so he depends on God to uphold him and preserve him from disgrace. Psa 94:18 “My foot is slipping,” Your loving devotion, O LORD,… Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidTraditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 38, David is expressing his deep distress and seeking God's intervention against his adversaries. 2. Adversaries The unspecified enemies who are taunting and seeking to gloat over David's missteps. 3. God The divine being to whom David is directing his plea for help and protection. 4. The Psalmist's Foot Symbolic of David's stability and righteousness, which he fears may falter. 5. Taunting The act of mocking or deriding, which David's enemies are doing in his time of vulnerability. Teaching Points Reliance on God in Times of WeaknessDavid's plea highlights the importance of turning to God when we feel vulnerable or when our "foot slips." The Reality of Adversaries Believers should be aware that adversaries may seek to exploit their weaknesses, but God is their ultimate protector. Humility and Repentance Recognizing one's own faults and seeking God's help is crucial, as David does in acknowledging his potential to falter. Guarding Against Pride Just as David asks God to prevent his enemies from gloating, believers should guard against pride and not rejoice in others' failures. Prayer as a Weapon David's prayer is a powerful example of using prayer to combat spiritual and emotional battles. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Psalm 38:16?2. How does Psalm 38:16 encourage reliance on God during personal struggles? 3. What does "they will gloat over me" reveal about David's adversaries? 4. How can Psalm 38:16 guide us in responding to mockery or persecution? 5. Which New Testament teachings align with the plea in Psalm 38:16? 6. How can we apply David's trust in God to our daily challenges? 7. What is the historical context of Psalm 38:16? 8. How does Psalm 38:16 reflect David's relationship with God? 9. What theological themes are present in Psalm 38:16? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 38? (16) Lest.--It is better to carry on the force of the particle of condition: For I said, Lest they should rejoice over me: Lest, when my foot slipped, they should vaunt themselves against me. Verse 16. - For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me; rather, for I said, I will be silent, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me. I feared lest by answering rashly or intemperately I might give my enemies occasion against me. I knew by experience that, when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me. 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. Psalm 38:16 captures David’s transparent plea: he speaks candidly to God, asks that enemies be denied the joy of gloating, identifies their hurtful taunts, and confesses his own vulnerability. The verse invites believers to pray with the same honesty—trusting that the LORD hears, preserves His honor, silences mockers, and steadies our feet.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Forכִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction I said, אָ֭מַרְתִּי (’ā·mar·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “Let them not פֶּן־ (pen-) Conjunction Strong's 6435: Removal, lest gloat יִשְׂמְחוּ־ (yiś·mə·ḥū-) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 8055: To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome over me— לִ֑י (lî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's Hebrew those who taunt הִגְדִּֽילוּ׃ (hiḡ·dî·lū) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 1431: To grow up, become great me עָלַ֥י (‘ā·lay) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against when my foot רַ֝גְלִ֗י (raḡ·lî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda slips.” בְּמ֥וֹט (bə·mō·wṭ) Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 4131: To waver, to slip, shake, fall Additonal Resources Psalm 38:16 Blue Letter BiblePsalm 38:16 Bible Gateway Psalm 38:16 Bible.com Psalm 38:16 NIV |
    |