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19 But those who are my enemies for no reason are numerous;[a]
those who hate me without cause outnumber me.[b]
20 They repay me evil for the good I have done;
though I have tried to do good to them, they hurl accusations at me.[c]
21 Do not abandon me, O Lord.
My God, do not remain far away from me.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 38:19 tn Heb “and my enemies, life, are many.” The noun חַיִּים (khayyim, “life”) fits very awkwardly here. The translation assumes an emendation to חִנָּם (khinnam, “without reason”; note the parallelism with שֶׁקֶר [sheqer, “falsely”] and see Pss 35:19; 69:4; Lam 3:52). The verb עָצַם (ʿatsam) can sometimes mean “are strong,” but here it probably focuses on numerical superiority (note the parallel verb רָבַב, ravav, “be many”).
  2. Psalm 38:19 tn Heb “are many.”
  3. Psalm 38:20 tn Heb “the ones who repay evil instead of good accuse me, instead of my pursuing good.”

19 Many have become my enemies(A) without cause[a];
    those who hate me(B) without reason(C) are numerous.
20 Those who repay my good with evil(D)
    lodge accusations(E) against me,
    though I seek only to do what is good.

21 Lord, do not forsake me;(F)
    do not be far(G) from me, my God.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 38:19 One Dead Sea Scrolls manuscript; Masoretic Text my vigorous enemies