King James Version

What Does Psalms 38:21 Mean?

Psalms 38:21 in the King James Version says “Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 38 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Forsake 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).

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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

  1. When have you felt simultaneously guilty before God yet desperate for his presence?
  2. How does David's urgent plea model honest prayer rather than stoic resignation?
  3. What does it mean that Jesus experienced the forsakenness David feared but you need never experience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
אַל1 of 7
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תַּֽעַזְבֵ֥נִי2 of 7

“Forsake”

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

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”

H430

gods 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
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּרְחַ֥ק6 of 7

“be not far”

H7368

to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)

מִמֶּֽנִּי׃7 of 7
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

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

Psalms 22:19Psalms 22:24Psalms 22:11Psalms 35:21-22Psalms 22:1

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