· Translation: KJV

Psalms 38:14Yes, I am as a man who doesn't hear, in whose mouth are no reproofs.

The setting

Jerusalem, ~1000 BC. David is seriously ill, abandoned by friends who now gossip about him. Modern-day Israel.

The emotion here: wounded but choosing restraint

The original word

ḥērēš (חֵרֵשׁ) — deliberately deaf, choosing not to hear accusations

Why it matters

Ancient Near Eastern kings were expected to publicly defend their honor, making David's silence shocking

Read with care

What most readers miss in Psalms 38:14

David is CHOOSING silence, not unable to speak — strategic spiritual warfare

Common misconceptionPeople think David was too weak or sick to respond. He was strategically choosing silence as spiritual warfare, trusting God to vindicate him.

Bible Genome reading

Psalms 38:14 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerDavid
EraUnited Kingdom
Primary emotionresting
Literary typepsalm
MarkPrayer

Emotional genome

Comfort power50%
Quotability60%
Memorability60%
Crisis relevance70%
Standalone50%
Themes:restraintwisdomself-control

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open Psalms 38

Psalms 38:14 comes from the book of Psalms, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to David. The dominant emotion in this verse is resting, with a comfort power of 50% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the psalm genre of biblical literature. Key themes include restraint, wisdom, self-control. Notable phrases: doesn't hear; no reproofs. This verse is a prayer.

Your reflection

What does Psalms 38:14 mean to you, today?

A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.

Speak your heart →

Get 3 verses for "resting"

Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.