Psalms 38:21
Psalms 38:21 in Multiple Translations
Do not forsake me, O LORD; be not far from me, O my God.
Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.
Forsake me not, O Jehovah: O my God, be not far from me.
Do not give me up, O Lord; O my God, be near to me.
Don't give up on me, my Lord and my God, don't stay away from me.
Forsake me not, O Lord: be not thou farre from me, my God.
Do not forsake me, O Jehovah, My God, be not far from me,
Don’t forsake me, LORD. My God, don’t be far from me.
Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.
Yahweh, do not abandon me! My God, do not stay far from me!
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 38:21
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 38:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/מְשַׁלְּמֵ֣י
רָ֭עָה
תַּ֣חַת
טוֹבָ֑ה
יִ֝שְׂטְנ֗וּ/נִי
תַּ֣חַת
רדופ/י
רָֽדְפִ/י
טֽוֹב
וּ/מְשַׁלְּמֵ֣י
shâlam
H7999
to complete
Conj | V-Piel
רָ֭עָה
raʻ
H7451
bad
N-fs
תַּ֣חַת
tachath
H8478
underneath
Prep
טוֹבָ֑ה
ṭôwb
H2896
pleasant
Adj
יִ֝שְׂטְנ֗וּ/נִי
sâṭan
H7853
to oppose
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp | Suff
תַּ֣חַת
tachath
H8478
underneath
Prep
רדופ/י
râdaph
H7291
to pursue
V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
רָֽדְפִ/י
râdaph
H7291
to pursue
V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
טֽוֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
pleasant
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 38:21
וּ/מְשַׁלְּמֵ֣י
shâlam
H7999
"to complete"
Conj | V-Piel
This verb means to be at peace or to make peace with someone. It is used in the Bible to describe a state of safety or friendship. In the KJV, it is translated as 'make amends' or 'be at peace'.
Definition: 1) to be complete, be sound 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be complete, be finished, be ended 1a2) to be sound, be uninjured 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to complete, finish 1b2) to make safe 1b3) to make whole or good, restore, make compensation 1b4) to make good, pay 1b5) to requite, recompense, reward 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be performed 1c2) to be repaid, be requited 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to complete, perform 1d2) to make an end of Aramaic equivalent: she.lam (שְׁלֵם "be complete" H8000)
Usage: Occurs in 107 OT verses. KJV: make amends, (make an) end, finish, full, give again, make good, (re-) pay (again), (make) (to) (be at) peace(-able), that is perfect, perform, (make) prosper(-ous), recompense, render, requite, make restitution, restore, reward, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 44:4; Psalms 7:5; Psalms 22:26.
רָ֭עָה
raʻ
H7451
"bad"
N-fs
Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.
Definition: : harmful adj 1) bad, evil 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery) 1c) evil, displeasing 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc) 1e) bad (of value) 1f) worse than, worst (comparison) 1g) sad, unhappy 1h) evil (hurtful) 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition) 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically) 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts 1j2) deeds, actions
Usage: Occurs in 623 OT verses. KJV: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). See also: Genesis 2:9; Judges 9:57; 2 Kings 21:6.
תַּ֣חַת
tachath
H8478
"underneath"
Prep
This Hebrew word means underneath or below, often used to describe physical locations or positions. It appears in various books, including Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to indicate something is under or beneath something else. The word has several related meanings.
Definition: : under/below 1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m 1a) the under part adv accus 1b) beneath prep 1c) under, beneath 1c1) at the foot of (idiom) 1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig) 1c3) of subjection or conquest 1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands 1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun) 1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense) 1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged) conj 1e) instead of, instead of that 1f) in return for that, because that in compounds 1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion) 1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with. See also: Genesis 1:7; Deuteronomy 7:24; 1 Kings 20:42.
טוֹבָ֑ה
ṭôwb
H2896
"pleasant"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
יִ֝שְׂטְנ֗וּ/נִי
sâṭan
H7853
"to oppose"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp | Suff
To oppose or act as an adversary is the meaning of this Hebrew word. It is used in the Bible to describe resistance or accusation, often in a legal or spiritual sense.
Definition: (Qal) to be or act as an adversary, resist, oppose
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: (be an) adversary, resist. See also: Psalms 38:21; Psalms 109:20; Psalms 71:13.
תַּ֣חַת
tachath
H8478
"underneath"
Prep
This Hebrew word means underneath or below, often used to describe physical locations or positions. It appears in various books, including Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to indicate something is under or beneath something else. The word has several related meanings.
Definition: : under/below 1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m 1a) the under part adv accus 1b) beneath prep 1c) under, beneath 1c1) at the foot of (idiom) 1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig) 1c3) of subjection or conquest 1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands 1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun) 1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense) 1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged) conj 1e) instead of, instead of that 1f) in return for that, because that in compounds 1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion) 1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with. See also: Genesis 1:7; Deuteronomy 7:24; 1 Kings 20:42.
רדופ/י
râdaph
H7291
"to pursue"
V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
To pursue or chase after someone means to follow them with hostile intent. This can be a physical pursuit or a pursuit of someone's life or well-being, as seen in many biblical stories.
Definition: 1) to be behind, follow after, pursue, persecute, run after 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pursue, put to flight, chase, dog, attend closely upon 1a2) to persecute, harass (fig) 1a3) to follow after, aim to secure (fig) 1a4) to run after (a bribe) (fig) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be pursued 1b2) one pursued (participle) 1c) (Piel) to pursue ardently, aim eagerly to secure, pursue 1d) (Pual) to be pursued, be chased away 1e) (Hiphil) to pursue, chase
Usage: Occurs in 135 OT verses. KJV: chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or), pursue(-r). See also: Genesis 14:14; 2 Samuel 20:13; Psalms 7:2.
רָֽדְפִ/י
râdaph
H7291
"to pursue"
V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
To pursue or chase after someone means to follow them with hostile intent. This can be a physical pursuit or a pursuit of someone's life or well-being, as seen in many biblical stories.
Definition: 1) to be behind, follow after, pursue, persecute, run after 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pursue, put to flight, chase, dog, attend closely upon 1a2) to persecute, harass (fig) 1a3) to follow after, aim to secure (fig) 1a4) to run after (a bribe) (fig) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be pursued 1b2) one pursued (participle) 1c) (Piel) to pursue ardently, aim eagerly to secure, pursue 1d) (Pual) to be pursued, be chased away 1e) (Hiphil) to pursue, chase
Usage: Occurs in 135 OT verses. KJV: chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or), pursue(-r). See also: Genesis 14:14; 2 Samuel 20:13; Psalms 7:2.
טֽוֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
"pleasant"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
Study Notes — Psalms 38:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 38:21 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 38:21
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 38:21
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 38:21
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 38:21
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 38:21
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 38:21
- Sermons on Psalms 38:21
Context — Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger
19Many are my enemies without cause, and many hate me without reason.
20Those who repay my good with evil attack me for pursuing the good.
21Do not forsake me, O LORD; be not far from me, O my God.
22Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 22:19 | But You, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me. |
| 2 | Psalms 22:24 | For He has not despised or detested the torment of the afflicted. He has not hidden His face from him, but has attended to his cry for help. |
| 3 | Psalms 22:11 | Be not far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. |
| 4 | Psalms 35:21–22 | They gape at me and say, “Aha, aha! Our eyes have seen!” O LORD, You have seen it; be not silent. O Lord, be not far from me. |
| 5 | Psalms 22:1 | My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my words of groaning? |
Psalms 38:21 Summary
[Psalms 38:21 is a heartfelt cry to God, asking Him not to leave us alone, especially when we're facing tough times or feeling hated by others. The Psalmist is reminding himself and us that God is our God and our Lord, and we can trust Him to be near us, just like it says in Psalms 23:4, where God is our shepherd who guides us through the darkest valley. When we feel like God is far away, we can remember that He promises to never leave us or forsake us, as seen in Hebrews 13:5. By trusting in God's presence and faithfulness, we can find comfort and hope, even in the midst of difficulties.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to ask God not to forsake us?
To ask God not to forsake us, as seen in Psalms 38:21, means to request that He remains present and actively involved in our lives, much like the Psalmist's cry in Psalms 119:8, where he asks God to not forsake him that he may keep God's commandments.
Why would God seem far from us?
God may seem far from us during times of suffering or when we are facing enemies, as mentioned in Psalms 38:19-20, but as Romans 8:35-39 reminds us, nothing can separate us from God's love, and He is always with us, even if it doesn't feel like it.
How can we be assured of God's presence in our lives?
We can be assured of God's presence in our lives by remembering His promises, such as Hebrews 13:5, where God says He will never leave us or forsake us, and by trusting in His faithfulness, as expressed in Psalms 100:5, which tells us that His mercy endures forever.
What is the relationship between this verse and the surrounding context?
Psalms 38:21 is a cry for help in the midst of persecution and hatred, as seen in Psalms 38:19-20, and is followed by a plea for God to come quickly to help, as seen in Psalms 38:22, demonstrating the Psalmist's reliance on God for salvation and protection.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in your life when you felt like God was far from you, and how did you cope with those feelings?
- How does the promise of God's presence in our lives, as seen in Psalms 38:21, give you hope and comfort in difficult times?
- In what ways can you, like the Psalmist, express your trust in God's presence and faithfulness, even when faced with enemies or hardships?
- What does it mean for you to 'pursue the good' in your own life, as mentioned in Psalms 38:20, and how can you continue to do so in the face of opposition?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 38:21
Forsake me not, O Lord,.... Or continue not to forsake; for he seems to have been under divine desertion, and might be under apprehensions that God had utterly forsaken him; which he entreats he
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 38:21
Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me. O my God, be not far from me. Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation. The same voice as in Psalms 22:19. Compare also Psalms 35:3.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 38:21
Psalms 38:21 Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.Ver. 21. Forsake me not, O Lord] This was that he most of all feared, spiritual desertion. So Jeremiah, Be not thou a terror unto me, O God; and then I care not what else can befall me. O my God, be not far from me] Though my friends stand aloof, Psalms 38:11, yet be thou ever at hand to help me.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 38:21
Verse 21. Forsake me not, O Lord] Though all have forsaken me, do not thou. Be not far from me] Though my friends keep aloof, be thou near to help me.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 38:21
15–22. Fresh pleadings with God.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 38:21
Forsake me not, O Lord - That is, Do not leave me in my troubles, my sickness, my sorrow. Leave me not to die; leave me not to complain and dishonor thee; leave me not to the reproaches of my enemies.
Sermons on Psalms 38:21
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Do Not Forsake Me, O Lord! by C.H. Spurgeon | C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the necessity of God's constant presence in our lives, urging believers to continually pray, 'Do not forsake me, O Lord!' He illustrates that just as a chi |
|
The Messianic Psalms - Psalm 22 (1) by Chip Brogden | In this sermon, Chip Brogdon continues his series on the Messianic Psalms. He focuses on Psalm 22, which provides insight into the crucifixion of Jesus. The sermon emphasizes that |
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Letter: Craignure, Isle of Mull, 18th August 1882. by Andrew Bonar | Andrew Bonar emphasizes the profound weakness of Christ on the Cross, as expressed in Psalm 22, and encourages believers to find strength in Jehovah during their own moments of wea |
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Isaiah (Part 5) - Sin-Offering by Ron Bailey | In this sermon, the speaker discusses two stories written by C.S. Lewis, "Out of the Silent Planet" and "Perelandra," which depict the creation of new worlds and the threat of evil |
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(Biographies) Charles Spurgeon by John Piper | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of perseverance in preaching, even in the face of adversity and criticism. He encourages preachers to have a long-term perspec |
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The Cost of Declaring His Glory by Helen Roseveare | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of facing persecution and suffering for their faith. They describe a brutal attack on their home by cruel men during a rebe |
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(Hebrews - Part 14): High Priest of the Eternal Son by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on his experience of preaching about Jesus Christ and how it moved the audience. He emphasizes that preaching about Jesus is always impactful |