Psalms 38:16For I said, "Don't let them gloat over me, or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips."
The setting
Jerusalem, ~1000 BC. David fears his enemies will celebrate his downfall as proof God has abandoned him. Modern-day Israel.
The emotion here: humiliated but protective of God's honor
The original word
māṭ (מוט) — to slip, stumble, be shaken from stability
Why it matters
Ancient enemies interpreted a king's illness as divine judgment, undermining his legitimacy
Read with care
What most readers miss in Psalms 38:16
David's concern isn't personal pride but God's reputation — he doesn't want God's enemies to think they've won
Common misconceptionPeople think David is just worried about embarrassment. He's actually concerned that his failure will make people think God isn't real or faithful.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Psalms 38:16
Bible Genome reading
Psalms 38:16 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Psalms 38:16 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 seeking, with a comfort power of 70% and a tone that is urgent. It belongs to the psalm genre of biblical literature. Key themes include protection, enemies, vulnerability. Notable phrases: Don't let them gloat; when my foot slips. This verse is a prayer.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same seeking
“Pray without ceasing.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“But let justice roll on like rivers, and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
— Amos 5:24
“Be it far from you to do things like that, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be like the wicked. May that …”
— Genesis 18:25
“Call to me, and I will answer you, and will show you great things, and difficult, which you don't know.”
— Jeremiah 33:3
“Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evi…”
— Luke 11:4
Your reflection
What does Psalms 38:16 mean to you, today?
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