Psalms 38:16 Meaning and Explanation
“For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist asks God to hear and respond, lest enemies gloat over his stumble.
The Context of Psalms 38:16
Urgency in the prayer: delay in God's response emboldens enemies.
What Does Psalms 38:16 Mean?
The psalmist's petition carries urgency: if God does not respond, the enemies will interpret silence as defeat and magnify themselves in triumph. 'Slipping feet' is both literal weakness and moral faltering—moments of vulnerability.
The gloating of enemies would be not just mockery but religious misinterpretation: they would read God's silence as abandonment or disapproval, using the psalmist's fall to assert their own superiority.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 38:16
What does Psalms 38:16 mean?
The psalmist asks God to hear and respond, lest enemies gloat over his stumble.
What is the context of Psalms 38:16?
Urgency in the prayer: delay in God's response emboldens enemies.