Psalms 38:13

38:12 They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.

But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.

KJV

Save image

But I, as a deaf man, don’t hear. I am as a mute man who doesn’t open his mouth.

But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.

But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that opens not his mouth.

38:14 Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs.

What does Psalms 38:13 mean?

Psalms 38:13 is a verse in the book of Psalms, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include חֵרֵשׁ (chêrêsh), שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ), אִלֵּם (ʼillêm). It connects to 14 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

But

deafחֵרֵשׁchêrêsh/khay-rashe'/H2795deaf (whether literally or spiritual)

man,

heardשָׁמַעshâmaʻ/shaw-mah'/H8085to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

not;

and

was

dumb

manאִלֵּםʼillêm/il-lame'/H483speechless

that

openethפָּתַחpâthach/paw-thakh'/H6605to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

not

his

mouth.פֶּהpeh/peh/H6310the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to

Commentary on Psalms 38:13

HENRY_FULL · Psalms 38:13

he had, at Keilah ( 1 Sam. xxiii. 13 ), then in the wilderness of Maon, when Saul marched on one side of the hill and he on the other, and, soon after, in the cave in the wilderness of En-gedi; but that it was penned upon any of those occasions we are not told. It is a mixture of prayers, and praises, and professions of confidence in God, all which do well together and are helpful to one another. I. David professes his cheerful confidence in God, and, in that confidence, prays for deliverance out of his present troubles, ver. 1-8 . II. He complains of the very deplorable condition he was in, and, in the sense of his calamities, still prays that God would graciously appear for him against his persecutors, ver. 9-18 . III. He concludes the psalm with praise and triumph, giving glory to God, and encouraging himself and others to trust in him, ver. 19-24 . Prayer for Deliverance; Profession of Confidence in God. 1 In thee, O Lord , do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Deuteronomy 32:31

For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.

2 Samuel 22:3

The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.

Job 7:21

And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.

Psalms 18:1

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said, I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.

Psalms 18:2

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. my strength: Heb. my rock

Psalms 40:17

But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

Psalms 62:7

In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

Proverbs 22:17

Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

Isaiah 33:16

He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. high: Heb. heights, or, high places

Luke 18:8

I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

John 6:56

He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

1 John 4:12

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1 John 4:15

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

1 John 4:16

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Psalms 38:13.

Exodus 4:11

And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?

Genesis 30:22

And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.

Genesis 42:27

And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money; for, behold, it was in his sack's mouth.

Genesis 43:21

And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand.

Frequently asked questions

What does Psalms 38:13 say?

Psalms 38:13 (King James Version) reads: "But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth."

Is Psalms 38:13 in the Old or New Testament?

Psalms 38:13 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Psalms.

Reflect

As you read Psalms 38:13, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

Plan a sermon or study on Psalms 38:13 →

← 38:12 38:14 →