King James Version
What Does Psalms 38:21 Mean?
“Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.”
Psalms 38:21 · KJV
Context
19
But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. are lively: Heb. being living, are strong
20
They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.
21
Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.
22
Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation. to: Heb. for my help
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryForsake me not, O LORD (אַל־תַּעַזְבֵנִי יְהוָה, al-ta'azveni YHWH)—Azav means abandon, forsake. The negative particle al makes this urgent. O my God, be not far from me (אֱלֹהַי אַל־תִּרְחַק מִמֶּנִּי, elohai al-tirchak mimmenni)—Rachak means be distant. David uses both divine names to appeal to covenant faithfulness and sovereign power.
Psalm 38 is the third penitential psalm, a raw cry of anguish under divine discipline. David feels sin's weight (vv. 3-8), friend abandonment (v. 11), and enemy pursuit (vv. 12, 19-20). This expresses the sufferer's deepest fear: that God might withdraw. Yet crying out proves God hasn't abandoned him. Jesus echoed this from the cross (Psalm 22:1, 38:21).
Psalm 38 is the third penitential psalm, a raw cry of anguish under divine discipline. David feels sin's weight (vv. 3-8), friend abandonment (v. 11), and enemy pursuit (vv. 12, 19-20). This expresses the sufferer's deepest fear: that God might withdraw. Yet crying out proves God hasn't abandoned him. Jesus echoed this from the cross (Psalm 22:1, 38:21).
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Historical & Cultural Context
Written during illness and social isolation (possibly during Absalom's rebellion), David experiences compounding trauma. Ancient theology often viewed illness as divine punishment, making sickness a spiritual crisis. The early church recited penitential psalms during persecution.
Reflection Questions
- When have you felt simultaneously guilty before God yet desperate for his presence?
- How does David's urgent plea model honest prayer rather than stoic resignation?
- What does it mean that Jesus experienced the forsakenness David feared but you need never experience?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 7 wordsאַל1 of 7
H408not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
יְהוָ֑ה3 of 7
“me not O LORD”
H3068(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱ֝לֹהַ֗י4 of 7
“O my God”
H430gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אַל5 of 7
H408not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּרְחַ֥ק6 of 7
“be not far”
H7368to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)
Study Guide
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Psalms 38:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Psalms 38:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge