Psalms 38:19 — Word Study
WLCוְֽ֭אֹיְבַי חַיִּ֣ים עָצֵ֑מוּ וְרַבּ֖וּ שֹׂנְאַ֣י שָֽׁקֶר׃
BSAforkîy iniquityʻâvôn to tellnâgad be anxiousdâʼag sinchaṭṭâʼâh
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְֽ֭אֹיְבַי | and enemies my | Conjunction, verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common, suffix |
| חַיִּ֣ים | life | |
| עָצֵ֑מוּ | they are numerous | Verb, Qal, perfect third person common plural |
| וְרַבּ֖וּ | and they are many | Conjunction, verb qal perfect third person common plural |
| שֹׂנְאַ֣י | [those who] hate me | Verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common, suffix |
| שָֽׁקֶר׃ | falsehood | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Many are my enemies without cause, and many hate me without reason. |
| KJV | But mine enemies are lively, and 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. |
| YLT | And mine enemies [are] lively, They have been strong, and those hating me without cause, Have been multiplied. |
| WEB | But my enemies are vigorous and many. Those who hate me without reason are numerous. |
| BBE | But they are strong who have hate for me without cause: those who are against me falsely are increased in numbers. |
Translations agree on the meaning of the verse, emphasizing the unjust nature of the enmity faced by the psalmist.
The structure highlights the contrast between the many enemies and the unjust nature of their hatred.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbדָּאַג
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 38:19
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Lament of the Oppressedgenerated
Psalm 38:19 expresses the psalmist's deep sorrow over the unjust hostility he faces from many enemies. This lament highlights the pain of being wrongfully hated and the emotional turmoil that accompanies such experiences. The surrounding verses provide context, revealing the psalmist's confession of sin and his plea for God's presence in times of distress, as seen in Psalm 38:18 and Psalm 38:20.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 3:1 | O LORD, how my foes have increased! How many rise up against me! |
| 2 | Psalm 25:19 | Consider my enemies, for they are many, and they hate me with vicious hatred. |
| 3 | Psalm 56:1–2 | Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack. |
| 4 | Psalm 59:1–3 | Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise against me. |
| 5 | Psalm 35:19 | Let not my enemies gloat over me without cause, nor those who hate me without reason wink in malice. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֹיֵב, oyebgenerated
The word אֹיֵב (oyeb) means 'enemy' or 'foe,' indicating hostility. It refers to individuals or groups who oppose or hate another, emphasizing the personal nature of the psalmist's suffering.
This term is derived from the root אָיַב (ayab), which conveys a sense of enmity. The parsing as a masculine plural participle indicates that the enemies are actively opposing the psalmist.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
Translations generally agree in rendering the verse similarly, emphasizing the unjust nature of the enmity.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb governs the structure of the verse, with the subject 'enemies' and the actions 'hate' and 'are numerous' following. The sentence is structured to emphasize the multitude of enemies and their unjust actions.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the enemies and their actions, illustrating the psalmist's distress over their unjust hatred.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the word for 'enemies' is rendered as μου (mou), indicating possession and personal connection to the enemies. This choice highlights the intimate nature of the conflict faced by the psalmist.
The translation reflects a narrowing of the original Hebrew concept, focusing on the personal aspect of enmity.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 38:19 reveals the psalmist's pain over many enemies who unjustly hate him. He feels the weight of their hostility, which is unprovoked and without reason. This verse is part of a larger lament where he confesses his sins and seeks God's help.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The phrase indicates that the enemies oppose him unjustly, without any legitimate reason or provocation.
This verse exemplifies the common theme in the Psalms of lamenting unjust suffering and seeking God's intervention.
The psalmist expresses deep sorrow and distress over the hostility he faces from many enemies.
It emphasizes the unjust nature of the hatred, highlighting the psalmist's innocence and the irrationality of his enemies' actions.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some situations in my life where I have felt unjustly treated by others?
- How can I respond to hostility in a way that reflects my faith?
- In what ways can I seek God's help when facing opposition?
- How can I support others who are experiencing unjust treatment?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers have commented on this verse, reflecting on the nature of unjust enmity and the psalmist's plea for divine assistance.
My enemies, he says, are alive and they have become strong against me; and they have multiplied, those who hate me unjustly. They repay evil for good, they spoke ill of me; because I pursued justice.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 38 →
"But mine enemies live" [Psalms 38:19]. They are well off: they rejoice in worldly prosperity, while I am suffering,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 38 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 38:19 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleBut mine enemies [are] lively,.... Or "living" (q) or "live"; not in a spiritual sense; for they had no lively hope, nor living faith, but were dead in trespasses and sins; nor merely in a natural
Read John Gill on Psalms 38 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryBut mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 38 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleLively, Heb. living, i.e. thriving, or flourishing, or prosperous, as life is used, 34:12, and elsewhere.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 38 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 38:19 But mine enemies [are] lively, [and] they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.Ver. 19. Mine enemies are lively, &c.] q.d. It is nuts to them, and they soon compose comedies out of my tragedies, growing more insolent by mine afflictions, and upbraiding me with my sins.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 38 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(19) But mine enemies are lively.—See margin. But the parallelism and a comparison with Psalms 35:19 lead to the suspicion that the true reading is “without cause.”
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 38 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 19. But mine enemies are lively] Instead of חיים chaiyim, lively, I would read חינם chinam, without cause; a change made by the half of one letter, נ nun for a י yod. See the parallel places, Psalms 35:19; Psalms 79:5. See also the Preliminary Dissertation to Dr. Lowth's Isaiah, p. 40: "But without cause my enemies have strengthened themselves; and they who wrongfully hate me are multiplied." Here the one member of the verse answers to the other.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 38 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges19. mine enemies are lively] He contrasts their vigour with his own weakness. But the expression is somewhat strange; and a comparison of Psa 35:19 suggests that we should read without cause, corresponding to wrongfully in the next line, in place of are lively. The Hebrew words are very similar (ηιιν—ηπν). wrongfully] Lit. falsely. Their hatred is based on misconception and misrepresentation.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 38 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleBut mine enemies are lively ... - DeWette renders this, “My enemies live and are strong.” The word translated “lively” - חיים chayiym - means properly “living, being alive.” The literal translation
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 38 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Many are my enemies without cause, and many hate me without reason.
But my enemies are vigorous and many. Those who hate me without reason are numerous.
Many are my enemies without cause, and many hate me without reason.
But those who are my enemies for no reason are numerous; those who hate me without cause outnumber me.
Tyndale line
But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
But mine enemies are lively, and are strong; And they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
But mine enemies are lively, and are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
But my enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
Then mine enemies are aliue and are mightie, and they that hate me wrongfully are many.
Strictly literal
But mine enemies are lively, they are strong; and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied:
And mine enemies [are] lively, They have been strong, and those hating me without cause, Have been multiplied.
And my enemies [are] lively, || They have been strong, and those hating me without cause, || Have been multiplied.
(38:20) But my enemies are strong in life; and numerous are those that hate me wrongfully;
But my enemies are numerous; those who hate me wrongfully are many.
Simplified
I have many powerful enemies—they are very active, hating me for no reason.
But they are strong who have hate for me without cause: those who are against me falsely are increased in numbers.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text aligns with the Septuagint in conveying the psalmist's lament. The Dead Sea Scrolls provide partial agreement, with some words supplied by an editor, indicating a similar context of distress and confession.
וְֽ֭אֹיְבַי חַיִּ֣ים עָצֵ֑מוּ וְרַבּ֖וּ שֹׂנְאַ֣י שָֽׁקֶר׃
3 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
כה עונת׳י [אגיד] אדאג מן חטאות׳י
5 words on the leather — 1 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 38:19
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אֹיֵב (oyeb) means 'enemy' or 'foe,' indicating hostility. It can refer to personal or national adversaries. The word is derived from the active participle of another root, אָיַב (ayab), which also conveys the sense of being hostile.
[אָיַב] 283 vb. be hostile to (enemy = אֹיֵב)
base
H341 אָיַב be hostile to (enemy = אֹיֵב)
341 'oyeb o-yabe'
or (fully) owyeb {o-yabe'}; active participle of 340;
hating; an adversary:--enemy, foe.
see HEBREW for 0340
אֹיֵב (o.yev) — enemy.
1) (Qal) enemy
1a) personal
1b) national
HC/Vqrmpc/Sp1bs — Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common · suffixHC/Vqrmpc/Sp1bs
The Hebrew word חַי (*chay*) means 'alive' or 'living' and covers a range of meanings related to life, including living beings, vitality, and freshness. It can refer to God, animals, vegetation, and even concepts like appetite and community. Variants include חַיָּה (*chayyah*), meaning 'living thing' or 'animal,' and חַיִּים (*chayim*), which emphasizes life and sustenance.
חַי adj. alive, living
of God, as the living one, the fountain of life
of man
of animals, alive, living
animals and man
(dub.) of vegetation, as thorns, green
of water, fresh
(dub.) lively, active
reviving
base
[חַי] n.[m.] kinsfolk, pl. sf. 1 S 18:18
ref
חַיָּה n.f. living thing, animal
animal
in general
wild animals, on account of their vital energy and activity
living beings, of the cherubic chariot
life, only in late poetry
appetite, activity of hunger
revival, renewal
base
חַיָּה n.f. community
base
חַיִּים n.m. pl. abstr. emph. life
life: physical
life: as welfare and happiness in king's presence
sustenance, maintenance
base
H2416a חַי alive, living . . of God, as the living one, the fountain of life
. of man
. of animals, alive, living
. animals and man
. (dub.) of vegetation, as thorns, green
. of water, fresh
. (dub.) lively, active
. reviving
H2416b חַי kinsfolk H2416c חַיָּה living thing, animal . animal . in general
. wild animals, on account of their vital energy and activity
. living beings, of the cherubic chariot
. life, only in late poetry
. appetite, activity of hunger
. revival, renewal
H2416d חַיָּה community H2416e חַיִּים pl. abstr. emph. life . life: physical
. life: as welfare and happiness in king's presence
. sustenance, maintenance
2416 chay khah'-ee
from 2421; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water,
year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine
singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether
literally or figuratively:--+ age, alive, appetite, (wild)
beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living
(creature, thing), maintenance, + merry, multitude, + (be)
old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop.
see HEBREW for 02421
חַי (chay) — alive.
adj
1) living, alive
1a) green (of vegetation)
1b) flowing, fresh (of water)
1c) lively, active (of man)
1d) reviving (of the springtime)
Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
חַי (chay) — kinsfolk.
kinsfolk
חַיָּה (chay.yah) — living thing.
1) living thing, animal
1a) animal
1b) life
1c) appetite
1d) revival, renewal
Aramaic equivalent: che.va (חֵיוָא "beast" H2423)
חַיָּה (chay.yah) — community.
community
חַיִּים (chay.yim) — life.
1) life (abstract emphatic)
1a) life
1b) sustenance, maintenance
HAampa — HAampa
lif (chayyim, nephesh, ruach, chayah; zoe, psuche, bios, pneuma):
I. THE TERMS
II. THE OLD TESTAMENT TEACHING
1. Popular Use of the Term
2. Complexity of the Idea
III. IN THE APOCRYPHA
IV. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
1. In the Synoptic Gospels
2. In the Fourth Gospel
3. In the Ac of the Apostles
4. In the Writings of Paul
5. In the Writings of John
6. In the Other Books of the New Testament
LITERATURE
I. The Terms.
Of the Hebrew terms, chayah is the verb which means "to live," "to have life," or the vital principle, "to continue to live," or "to live prosperously." In the Piel it signifies "to give life, or preserve, or quicken and restore life." The Hiphil is much like the Piel. The noun hayyim generally used in the plural is an abstract noun meaning "life," i.e. the possession of the vital principle with its energies and activities. Nephesh often means "living being" or "creature." Sometimes it has the…
Life
Generally of physical life (Gen. 2:7; Luke 16:25, etc.); also used figuratively (1) for immortality (Heb. 7:16); (2) conduct or manner of life (Rom. 6:4); (3) spiritual life or salvation (John 3:16, 17, 18, 36); (4) eternal life (Matt. 19:16, 17; John 3:15); of God and Christ as the absolute source and cause of all life (John 1:4; 5:26, 39; 11:25; 12:50).
In the Bible, is either natural, Ge 3:17; spiritual, that of the renewed soul, Ro 8:6; or eternal, a holy and blissful immortality, Joh 3:36 Ro 6:23. Christ is the great Author of natural life, Col 1:16; and also of spiritual and eternal life; Joh 14:6 6:47. He has purchased these by laying down his own life; and gives them freely to his people, Joh 10:11,28. He is the spring of all their spiritual life on earth, Ga 2:20; will raise them up at the last day; and…
עָצֹם (atsam) has two main meanings: to be vast, mighty, or numerous, and to shut the eyes. The word can describe strength or abundance in the Qal form, while the Hiphil form indicates making something strong. Additionally, it can refer to the act of closing the eyes, with variations in intensity noted in the entries.
[עָצֹם], עָצַם vb. be vast, mighty, numerous
Qal
be mighty
be numerous
Hiph. make strong
base
[עָצַם] vb. shut the eyes
Qal shutteth his eyes from seeing
Pi. he hath tightly shut your eyes
base
H6105a עָצֹם, עָצַם be vast, mighty, numerous .. be mighty
. be numerous
. make strong
H6105b עָצַם shut the eyes
6105 `atsam aw-tsam'
a primitive root; to bind fast, i.e. close (the eyes);
intransitively, to be (causatively, make) powerful or
numerous; denominatively (from 6106) to crunch the
bones:--break the bones, close, be great, be increased, be
(wax) mighty(-ier), be more, shut, be(-come, make)
strong(-er).
see HEBREW for 06106
עָצֹם (a.tsom) — be vast.
1) to be vast, be numerous, be mighty
1a)(Qal)
1a1) to be mighty
1a2) to be numerous
1b) (Hiphil) to make strong, make mighty
עָצַם (a.tsam) — to shut eyes.
1) to shut (the eyes), close (the eyes)
1a) (Qal) to shut (the eyes)
1b) (Piel) to shut tightly (the eyes)
HVqp3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common pluralHVqp3cp
רָבַב (rabab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be or become many or much. It conveys the idea of increase, especially in number, and can also imply multiplication by the myriad. The entries suggest a range of meanings, including becoming great or long in terms of journey, and the Pual form specifically refers to ten thousands.
[רָבַב] vb. be or become, many, much
base
H7231 רָבַב be or become, many, much
7231 rabab raw-bab'
a primitive root; properly, to cast together (compare 7241),
i.e. increase, especially in number; also (as denominative
from 7233) to multiply by the myriad:--increase, be
many(-ifold), be more, multiply, ten thousands.
see HEBREW for 07241
see HEBREW for 07233
רָבַב (ra.vav) — to multiply.
1) to be or become many, be or become much, be or become great
1a)(Qal)
1a1) to be or become many
1a2) to be or become great
1a3) to be long (of journey)
2) (Pual) ten thousands
HC/Vqp3cp — Conjunction · verb qal perfect third person common pluralHC/Vqp3cp
MANY, adjective men'ny.
1. Numerous; comprising a great number of individuals.
Thou shalt be a father of many nations. Genesis 17:4.
Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 1 Corinthians 1:26.
MANY are the afflictions of the righteous. Psalms 34:12.
It is often preceded by as or so, and followed by so, indicating an equal number.
As many books as you take, so many shall be charged to your account.
So many laws argue so many sins.
It is followed by as.
As many as were willing-hearted brought bracelets. Exodus 34:1.
It precedes an or a, before a noun in the singular number.
Full many a gem of purest ray serene.
2. In low language, preceded by too, it denotes powerful or much; as, they are too many for us.
MANY, noun men'ny. A multitude; a great number of individuals; the people.
O thou fond many
The vulgar and the many are fit only to be led or driven.
שָׂנֵא (sane') is a primitive root meaning 'to hate.' It covers various forms of hatred, including personal animosity and enmity, and can refer to both humans and God. The word appears in different grammatical forms, with uses in Qal, Niphal, and Piel, indicating actions of hating or being hated. Its Aramaic equivalent is שְׂנָא.
שָׂנֵא 145 vb. hate
Qal 128 hate
Niph. is hated
Pi. enemy
base
H8130 שָׂנֵא hate
8130 sane' saw-nay'
a primitive root; to hate (personally):--enemy, foe, (be)
hate(-ful, -r), odious, X utterly.
שָׂנֵא (sa.ne) — to hate.
1) to hate, be hateful
1a) (Qal) to hate
1a1) of man
1a2) of God
1a3) hater, one hating, enemy (participle) (subst)
1b) (Niphal) to be hated
1c) (Piel) hater (participle)
1c1) of persons, nations, God, wisdom
Aramaic equivalent: se.ne (שְׂנָא "to hate" H8131)
HVqrmpc/Sp1bs — Verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common · suffixHVqrmpc/Sp1bs
שֶׁ֫קֶר (sheqer) refers to deception, falsehood, and disappointment. It encompasses various forms of deceit, including fraud and wrongful testimony. The word is built from the root associated with untruths and can imply sham or lying. It is used in contexts involving false prophets and general dishonesty.
שֶׁ֫קֶר 113 n.m. deception, disappointment, falsehood
deception, what deceives, disappoints, and betrays one
deceit, fraud, wrong
injurious falsehood, in testimony
falsity, of false or self-deceived prophets
lie, falsehood, in gen.
base
H8267 שֶׁ֫קֶר deception, disappointment, falsehood . deception, what deceives, disappoints, and betrays one
. deceit, fraud, wrong
. injurious falsehood, in testimony
. falsity, of false or self-deceived prophets
. lie, falsehood, in gen.
8267 sheqer sheh'-ker
from 8266; an untruth; by implication, a sham (often
adverbial):--without a cause, deceit(-ful),
false(-hood, -ly), feignedly, liar, + lie, lying, vain
(thing), wrongfully.
see HEBREW for 08266
שֶׁ֫קֶר (she.qer) — deception.
1) lie, deception, disappointment, falsehood
1a) deception (what deceives or disappoints or betrays one)
1b) deceit, fraud, wrong
1b1) fraudulently, wrongfully (as adverb)
1c) falsehood (injurious in testimony)
1c1) testify falsehood, false oath, swear falsely
1d) falsity (of false or self-deceived prophets)
1e) lie, falsehood (in general)
1e1) false tongue
1f) in vain
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
fols'-hood.
See LYING.
→ General scriptures concerning Ex 20:16; 23:1; Le 6:2-7; 19:11,12,16; Job 13:4; 21:34; 27:4; 31:5,6,33; 36:4; Ps 5:6,9; 10:7; 12:2,3; 28:3; 31:18; 34:13; 36:3; 50:19,20; 52:2-5; 55:21,23; 58:3; 59:12; 62:4; 63:11; 101:5,7; 109:2; 116:11; 119:29,69,163; 120:2-4; 144:8,11; Pr 2:12-15; 3:3; 6:12,13,17-19; 10:9,10,18,31; 11:9; 12:17,19,20,22; 13:5; 14:5,8,25; 17:4,7; 19:5,9,22,28; 20:17; 21:6; 26:18,19,24-26,28; 27:14; Ec 5:6; Isa 28:15; 32:7; 57:11; 59:3,4,12,13; 63:8;