My beloved and friends shun my disease
This phrase reflects the deep sense of isolation and abandonment experienced by the psalmist, traditionally attributed to David. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, disease, particularly skin diseases, were often seen as a sign of divine displeasure or punishment, leading to social ostracism. Leviticus 13-14 outlines the laws regarding leprosy and other skin conditions, emphasizing the need for separation from the community. This separation was not only physical but also social and emotional, as those afflicted were often viewed with fear and suspicion. The psalmist's lament echoes Job's experience, where his friends and family distanced themselves due to his suffering (Job 19:13-19). This phrase also foreshadows the suffering of Jesus Christ, who was despised and rejected by men (Isaiah 53:3), highlighting the theme of the righteous sufferer.

and my kinsmen stand at a distance
The mention of "kinsmen" underscores the depth of the psalmist's isolation, as family ties were of utmost importance in ancient Near Eastern societies. Family members were expected to provide support and care, yet here they are depicted as standing aloof. This could be due to fear of ritual impurity or social stigma associated with the psalmist's condition. The distance of kinsmen can also be seen in the broader biblical narrative, where familial betrayal and abandonment are recurring themes, such as Joseph's brothers selling him into slavery (Genesis 37:12-28) or David's own family dynamics (1 Samuel 16:11; 2 Samuel 13). This phrase further connects to the New Testament, where Jesus speaks of division within families due to allegiance to Him (Matthew 10:34-36), and His own experience of being forsaken by His disciples (Mark 14:50).

1. David
Traditionally attributed to King David, this psalm is a penitential psalm where David expresses his deep distress and sense of isolation due to his sin and its consequences.

2. Friends and Companions
These are the people who were once close to David but now avoid him due to his afflictions, highlighting the theme of abandonment.

3. Neighbors
Those who live near David, representing the broader community that distances itself from him in his time of need.

4. Wounds
Symbolic of the consequences of sin and the physical and emotional pain that David is experiencing.

5. Isolation
The event of being left alone in suffering, which is a central theme of this verse, reflecting the broader human experience of feeling abandoned in times of trouble.The Reality of Isolation in Suffering
Suffering can lead to feelings of isolation, even from those closest to us. Recognize this as a common human experience and seek comfort in God’s presence.

The Consequences of Sin
Sin can have relational consequences, leading to broken relationships and isolation. Acknowledge the impact of sin and seek repentance and restoration.

The Importance of True Friendship
True friends are those who remain steadfast in times of trouble. Strive to be a friend who supports others in their suffering.

God’s Faithfulness in Isolation
Even when others abandon us, God remains faithful. Lean on His promises and presence during times of loneliness.

Empathy for the Isolated
Cultivate empathy for those who are suffering and isolated. Reach out to offer support and companionship to those in need.1. What is the meaning of Psalm 38:11?

2. How does Psalm 38:11 illustrate the impact of sin on relationships?

3. What emotions does David express in Psalm 38:11 regarding his isolation?

4. How can believers find comfort when feeling abandoned, as in Psalm 38:11?

5. What other scriptures discuss the consequences of sin on personal relationships?

6. How can we support those feeling isolated, as described in Psalm 38:11?

7. Why do friends and companions distance themselves in Psalm 38:11?

8. How does Psalm 38:11 reflect on human suffering and isolation?

9. What historical context influenced the writing of Psalm 38:11?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 38?

11. Are you overly sensitive?

12. What defines emotional abuse?

13. If Psalm 41:11 suggests triumph over enemies is evidence of God's favor, how can it be reconciled with godly individuals who appear to be defeated?

14. In Job 21:22, how can humans teach God anything if He is described elsewhere as all-knowing and beyond counsel?My beloved and friends

David opens with the people who should have been the safest circle in his life—those he calls “my loved ones and friends.” Psalm 38 as a whole shows David already crushed by guilt and physical pain (vv. 3–8). Now, even companionship disappears. Similar scenes surface in Job 19:13 and Psalm 31:11, where faithful servants of God watch relationships evaporate in the heat of suffering. We also see this pattern fulfilled in Christ, whose closest followers “all left Him and fled” (Mark 14:50). The verse therefore paints a literal picture of social abandonment that believers may experience when trials expose the shallow roots of some friendships.

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shun my disease

The Berean Standard Bible renders it, “avoid me because of my wounds.” Ancient Israel knew the isolation attached to visible affliction (Leviticus 13:45–46). Whether David’s condition was physical or the outward toll of sin’s consequences (vv. 4–5), people recoiled. Wounds—literal or moral—often repel rather than attract help. Job’s sores drew the same response (Job 2:12), and even lepers in Jesus’ day “stood at a distance” (Luke 17:12). The line reminds us that sin and suffering can create a chasm only God’s grace closes (Isaiah 59:2).

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and my kinsmen

The circle tightens further: blood relatives. Family desertion deepens the sting. David had tasted it before when his brothers doubted him (1 Samuel 17:28) and later when Absalom’s rebellion split the royal household (2 Samuel 15:13–14). Scripture notes that “even my own brothers believe not” (John 7:5) concerning Jesus, underscoring how familial ties can fray under spiritual strain. Psalm 69:8 captures the same grief: “I have become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my mother’s sons.”

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stand at a distance

Distance here is both physical and emotional. Instead of pressing in to help, loved ones retreat, leaving the sufferer exposed. Luke 23:49 records that many who knew Jesus “stood at a distance” during His crucifixion. Paul later wrote, “At my first defense no one stood with me” (2 Timothy 4:16). Yet God never remains aloof; He “is near to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18). The abandonment David felt becomes a backdrop highlighting the steadfast presence of the Lord who “will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

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summary

Psalm 38:11 presents a stark, literal snapshot of abandonment: friends, loved ones, and family step back when David’s wounds become too unsightly. The verse teaches that suffering often reveals the frailty of human support, but it simultaneously drives the faithful to the One who never withdraws. Believers who encounter similar isolation can rest assured that the Lord, who stood with David and later experienced ultimate abandonment at Calvary, remains closer than any friend or kin.

(11) Sore is rather stroke, as in margin, or plague. His friends, looking on him as "one smitten of God," and thinking "he must be wicked to deserve such pain," abandon him as too vile for their society.

Kinsmen.--Render rather, as in margin, neighbours, or near ones.

Those who should have been near me stand aloof.

Verse 11. - My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; or, from my stroke (comp. Psalm 39:10, where the same word is used). The psalmist feels himself to be "stricken, smitten of God" (Isaiah 53:4). He looks for comfort and sympathy to his friends, but they, with a selfishness that is only too common, hold aloof, draw away item him, and desert him (comp. Job 19:13, 14). And my kinsmen stand afar off; or, my neighbours. The stricken deer is forsaken by the rest of the herd (comp. Matthew 26:56, 58).

Parallel Commentaries ...


My beloved
אֹֽהֲבַ֨י ׀ (’ō·hă·ḇay)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

and friends
וְרֵעַ֗י (wə·rê·‘ay)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow

shun
יַעֲמֹ֑דוּ (ya·‘ă·mō·ḏū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

my disease,
נִגְעִ֣י (niḡ·‘î)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5061: Mark -- a blow, a spot

and my kinsmen
וּ֝קְרוֹבַ֗י (ū·qə·rō·w·ḇay)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7138: Near

stand
עָמָֽדוּ׃ (‘ā·mā·ḏū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

at a distance.
מֵרָחֹ֥ק (mê·rā·ḥōq)
Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7350: Remote, of place, time, precious


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OT Poetry: Psalm 38:11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof (Psalm Ps Psa.)