Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version I am like the deaf, who cannot hear, like the mute, who cannot speak; New Living Translation But I am deaf to all their threats. I am silent before them as one who cannot speak. English Standard Version But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear, like a mute man who does not open his mouth. Berean Standard Bible But like a deaf man, I do not hear; and like a mute man, I do not open my mouth. King James Bible But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. New King James Version But I, like a deaf man, do not hear; And I am like a mute who does not open his mouth. New American Standard Bible But I, like a person who is deaf, do not hear; And I am like a person who cannot speak, who does not open his mouth. NASB 1995 But I, like a deaf man, do not hear; And I am like a mute man who does not open his mouth. NASB 1977 But I, like a deaf man, do not hear; And I am like a dumb man who does not open his mouth. Legacy Standard Bible But I, like a deaf man, do not hear; And I am like a mute man who does not open his mouth. Amplified Bible But I, like a deaf man, do not hear; I am like a mute man who does not open his mouth. Christian Standard Bible I am like a deaf person; I do not hear. I am like a speechless person who does not open his mouth. Holman Christian Standard Bible I am like a deaf person; I do not hear. I am like a speechless person who does not open his mouth. American Standard Version But I, as a deaf man, hear not; And I am as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. Contemporary English Version I am not able to hear or speak a word; English Revised Version But I, as a deaf man, hear not; and I am as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. GOD'S WORD® Translation But I am like a person who cannot hear and like a person who cannot speak. Good News Translation I am like the deaf and cannot hear, like the dumb and cannot speak. International Standard Version I am like the deaf, who cannot hear, and like the mute, who cannot open his mouth. NET Bible But I am like a deaf man--I hear nothing; I am like a mute who cannot speak. New Heart English Bible But I, as a deaf man, do not hear. I am as a mute man who doesn't open his mouth. Webster's Bible Translation But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut like a deaf man, I do not hear; and like a mute man, I do not open my mouth. World English Bible But I, as a deaf man, don’t hear. I am as a mute man who doesn’t open his mouth. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd I, as deaf, do not hear. And as a mute one who does not open his mouth. Young's Literal Translation And I, as deaf, hear not. And as a dumb one who openeth not his mouth. Smith's Literal Translation And they seeking my soul will lay snares: and they seeking my evil spake mischief, and they will meditate deceits all the day, Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut I, as a deaf man, heard not : and as a dumb man not opening his mouth. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible But I am like the deaf, hearing nothing, like the mute, I do not open my mouth, New Revised Standard Version But I am like the deaf, I do not hear; like the mute, who cannot speak. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that opens not his mouth. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated But I, like a deaf man, have not heard, and like a dumb man, I did not open my mouth. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917But I am as a deaf man, I hear not; And I am as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. Brenton Septuagint Translation But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and was as a dumb man not opening his mouth. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger…12Those who seek my life lay snares; those who wish me harm speak destruction, plotting deceit all day long. 13But like a deaf man, I do not hear; and like a mute man, I do not open my mouth. 14I am like a man who cannot hear, whose mouth offers no reply.… Cross References Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth. Matthew 27:12-14 And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer. / Then Pilate asked Him, “Do You not hear how many charges they are bringing against You?” / But Jesus gave no answer, not even to a single charge, much to the governor’s amazement. 1 Peter 2:23 When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. Proverbs 17:28 Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue. Job 13:5 If only you would remain silent; for that would be your wisdom! Lamentations 3:28 Let him sit alone in silence, for the LORD has laid it upon him. Micah 7:7 But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me. James 1:19 My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, Matthew 5:39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also; 1 Samuel 10:27 But some worthless men said, “How can this man save us?” So they despised him and brought him no gifts; but Saul remained silent about it. 1 Peter 3:9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. Ecclesiastes 3:7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, Luke 23:9 Herod questioned Jesus at great length, but He gave no answer. Mark 14:61 But Jesus remained silent and made no reply. Again the high priest questioned Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” John 19:9 and he went back into the Praetorium. “Where are You from?” he asked. But Jesus gave no answer. Treasury of Scripture But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that opens not his mouth. Psalm 39:2,9 I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred… 2 Samuel 16:10-12 And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so? … Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. Jump to Previous Deaf Dumb Ears Hear Heard Hearing Kept Mouth Mute Open Openeth Shut VoiceJump to Next Deaf Dumb Ears Hear Heard Hearing Kept Mouth Mute Open Openeth Shut VoicePsalm 38 1. David moves God to take compassion on his pitiful caseBut like a deaf man, I do not hear; In this phrase, the psalmist expresses a sense of isolation and helplessness, akin to being deaf. This metaphor highlights the psalmist's inability to respond to his accusers or to hear their taunts. In biblical times, deafness was often seen as a significant disability, leading to social exclusion. The psalmist's choice to liken himself to a deaf man may indicate a deliberate decision to ignore the accusations and slander, choosing instead to focus on God. This reflects a theme found in Isaiah 42:19, where the servant of the Lord is described as blind and deaf, emphasizing trust in God over human judgment. The psalmist's silence can also be seen as a form of protest or a way to maintain dignity amidst false accusations. and like a mute man, I do not open my mouth. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidTraditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 38, David is expressing his deep distress and sense of isolation due to his sin and the resulting consequences. 2. Enemies Though not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of the psalm includes adversaries who are taking advantage of David's weakened state. 3. God Implicit in the psalm as the one David ultimately turns to for help and forgiveness, despite his current silence and suffering. Teaching Points Silence in SufferingSometimes, in our suffering, we may feel like we cannot express ourselves or that our cries are unheard. David's silence can teach us the value of waiting on God and trusting Him even when we feel isolated. The Power of Restraint David's choice to be like a "mute man" can be seen as an act of restraint, choosing not to retaliate or defend himself against his enemies. This can be a powerful example of self-control and reliance on God's justice. Listening to God In times of distress, it is crucial to listen for God's voice rather than being consumed by the noise of our circumstances. David's silence can be a reminder to seek God's guidance and wisdom. Repentance and Reflection The context of Psalm 38 is one of repentance. David's silence may also reflect a period of introspection and acknowledgment of his sin, encouraging us to examine our own hearts before God. Trust in God's Timing David's silence and waiting can teach us about trusting in God's timing for deliverance and vindication, rather than taking matters into our own hands. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 38Does the Bible address birth defects? What does the Bible say about Down Syndrome? What if I doubt my salvation? Why does God permit disabilities in people?Verse 13. - But I, as a deaf man, heard not. I took no notice, i.e. I made as if I was deaf. And I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. So far this psalmist, whether David or another, was a type of Christ (see Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 26:63; Matthew 27:14; 1 Peter 2:23). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew But I,וַאֲנִ֣י (wa·’ă·nî) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I like a deaf man, כְ֭חֵרֵשׁ (ḵə·ḥê·rêš) Preposition-k | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2795: Deaf do not לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no hear, אֶשְׁמָ֑ע (’eš·mā‘) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently and like a mute man, וּ֝כְאִלֵּ֗ם (ū·ḵə·’il·lêm) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 483: Mute (unable to speak) I do not לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no open יִפְתַּח־ (yip̄·taḥ-) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve my mouth. פִּֽיו׃ (pîw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to Links Psalm 38:13 NIVPsalm 38:13 NLT Psalm 38:13 ESV Psalm 38:13 NASB Psalm 38:13 KJV Psalm 38:13 BibleApps.com Psalm 38:13 Biblia Paralela Psalm 38:13 Chinese Bible Psalm 38:13 French Bible Psalm 38:13 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Psalm 38:13 But I as a deaf man don't (Psalm Ps Psa.) |
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