The Meaning of Psalms 38:19 Explained

Psalms 38:19

KJV: But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.

YLT: And mine enemies are lively, They have been strong, and those hating me without cause, Have been multiplied.

Darby: But mine enemies are lively, they are strong; and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied:

ASV: But mine enemies are lively, and are strong; And they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But mine enemies  [are] lively,  [and] they are strong:  and they that hate  me wrongfully  are multiplied. 

What does Psalms 38:19 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 38:1-22 - The Cry Of The Needy Penitent
A long drawn-out sigh of pain. Some think it should be classed with Psalms 32:1-11; Psalms 51:1-19, as belonging to the time of David's fall and repentance. It is filled with a sense of God's judgments and the profound consciousness of sin. Perhaps David was suffering physically, or he may be describing his spiritual maladies in terms borrowed from that source. His friends stood apart and his enemies were near. But it was wise to refrain from man and to wait only on God. When we are buffeted and derided, the true attitude is our Lord's. As the dumb sheep before her shearers, He opened not His mouth!
In Psalms 38:15 the tone becomes calmer. The soul begins to recover its center of gravity in God. Notice the fourfold repetition of For, Psalms 38:15-18. Faith marshals her arguments. Out of "stony griefs" she builds "Bethels." Like Samson, she finds honey in the lion's carcass. But God will not forsake. He never for a moment withdraws His close attention. The Refiner sits by the crucible, and will cool down the heat the moment it has done its work. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 38

1  David moves God to take compassion on his pitiful case

What do the individual words in Psalms 38:19 mean?

But my enemies [are] vigorous [and] they are strong and have multiplied those who hate me wrongfully
וְֽ֭אֹיְבַי חַיִּ֣ים עָצֵ֑מוּ וְרַבּ֖וּ שֹׂנְאַ֣י שָֽׁקֶר

וְֽ֭אֹיְבַי  But  my  enemies 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural construct, first person common singular
Root: אֹיֵב  
Sense: (Qal) enemy.
חַיִּ֣ים  [are]  vigorous 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: חַי 
Sense: living, alive.
עָצֵ֑מוּ  [and]  they  are  strong 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: עָצַם 
Sense: to be vast, be numerous, be mighty.
וְרַבּ֖וּ  and  have  multiplied 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, third person common plural
Root: רָבַב  
Sense: to be or become many, be or become much, be or become great.
שֹׂנְאַ֣י  those  who  hate  me 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural construct, first person common singular
Root: שָׂנֵא  
Sense: to hate, be hateful.
שָֽׁקֶר  wrongfully 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: שֶׁקֶר  
Sense: lie, deception, disappointment, falsehood.