Psalm 38:13
New International Version
I am like the deaf, who cannot hear, like the mute, who cannot speak;

New Living Translation
But I am deaf to all their threats. I am silent before them as one who cannot speak.

English Standard Version
But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear, like a mute man who does not open his mouth.

Berean Standard Bible
But like a deaf man, I do not hear; and like a mute man, I do not open my mouth.

King James Bible
But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.

New King James Version
But I, like a deaf man, do not hear; And I am like a mute who does not open his mouth.

New American Standard Bible
But I, like a person who is deaf, do not hear; And I am like a person who cannot speak, who does not open his mouth.

NASB 1995
But I, like a deaf man, do not hear; And I am like a mute man who does not open his mouth.

NASB 1977
But I, like a deaf man, do not hear; And I am like a dumb man who does not open his mouth.

Legacy Standard Bible
But I, like a deaf man, do not hear; And I am like a mute man who does not open his mouth.

Amplified Bible
But I, like a deaf man, do not hear; I am like a mute man who does not open his mouth.

Christian Standard Bible
I am like a deaf person; I do not hear. I am like a speechless person who does not open his mouth.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I am like a deaf person; I do not hear. I am like a speechless person who does not open his mouth.

American Standard Version
But I, as a deaf man, hear not; And I am as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.

Contemporary English Version
I am not able to hear or speak a word;

English Revised Version
But I, as a deaf man, hear not; and I am as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But I am like a person who cannot hear and like a person who cannot speak.

Good News Translation
I am like the deaf and cannot hear, like the dumb and cannot speak.

International Standard Version
I am like the deaf, who cannot hear, and like the mute, who cannot open his mouth.

Majority Standard Bible
But like a deaf man, I do not hear; and like a mute man, I do not open my mouth.

NET Bible
But I am like a deaf man--I hear nothing; I am like a mute who cannot speak.

New Heart English Bible
But I, as a deaf man, do not hear. I am as a mute man who doesn't open his mouth.

Webster's Bible Translation
But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.

World English Bible
But I, as a deaf man, don’t hear. I am as a mute man who doesn’t open his mouth.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And I, as deaf, do not hear. And as a mute one who does not open his mouth.

Young's Literal Translation
And I, as deaf, hear not. And as a dumb one who openeth not his mouth.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they seeking my soul will lay snares: and they seeking my evil spake mischief, and they will meditate deceits all the day,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But I, as a deaf man, heard not : and as a dumb man not opening his mouth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But, like someone deaf, I did not hear. And I was like someone mute, not opening his mouth.

New American Bible
But I am like the deaf, hearing nothing, like the mute, I do not open my mouth,

New Revised Standard Version
But I am like the deaf, I do not hear; like the mute, who cannot speak.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that opens not his mouth.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
But I, like a deaf man, have not heard, and like a dumb man, I did not open my mouth.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But I am as a deaf man, I hear not; And I am as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and was as a dumb man not opening his mouth.
Audio Bible



Context
Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger
12Those who seek my life lay snares; those who wish me harm speak destruction, plotting deceit all day long. 13But like a deaf man, I do not hear; and like a mute man, I do not open my mouth. 14I am like a man who cannot hear, whose mouth offers no reply.…

Cross References
Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.

Matthew 27:12-14
And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer. / Then Pilate asked Him, “Do You not hear how many charges they are bringing against You?” / But Jesus gave no answer, not even to a single charge, much to the governor’s amazement.

1 Peter 2:23
When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.

Proverbs 17:28
Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.

Job 13:5
If only you would remain silent; for that would be your wisdom!

Lamentations 3:28
Let him sit alone in silence, for the LORD has laid it upon him.

Micah 7:7
But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.

James 1:19
My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,

Matthew 5:39
But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;

1 Samuel 10:27
But some worthless men said, “How can this man save us?” So they despised him and brought him no gifts; but Saul remained silent about it.

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Ecclesiastes 3:7
a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,

Luke 23:9
Herod questioned Jesus at great length, but He gave no answer.

Mark 14:61
But Jesus remained silent and made no reply. Again the high priest questioned Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”

John 19:9
and he went back into the Praetorium. “Where are You from?” he asked. But Jesus gave no answer.


Treasury of Scripture

But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that opens not his mouth.

Psalm 39:2,9
I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred…

2 Samuel 16:10-12
And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so? …

Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

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Psalm 38
1. David moves God to take compassion on his pitiful case














But I am like a deaf man
The psalmist, traditionally understood to be David, uses the metaphor of a "deaf man" to express his state of being unresponsive to the accusations and taunts of his enemies. In the Hebrew context, the word for "deaf" (חֵרֵשׁ, cheresh) implies a deliberate choice to not hear. This reflects a spiritual discipline, where David chooses to remain silent and not engage with the negativity surrounding him. Historically, this can be seen as an act of trust in God, allowing Him to be the defender rather than taking matters into his own hands.

I do not hear
This phrase emphasizes the psalmist's intentional decision to not listen to the voices of his adversaries. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, hearing was often associated with obedience and response. By stating "I do not hear," David is not only ignoring the slander but also demonstrating his reliance on God’s judgment rather than human opinion. This can be seen as an act of faith, where the believer chooses to focus on God's voice above all others.

and like a mute man
The comparison to a "mute man" (אִלֵּם, illem) further illustrates the psalmist's resolve to remain silent. In biblical times, being mute was often seen as a sign of helplessness or submission. However, in this context, it is a powerful act of self-control and surrender to God’s will. David’s silence is not out of weakness but out of a strategic choice to let God be his advocate.

who does not open his mouth
This final phrase underscores the completeness of the psalmist's silence. In the Hebrew tradition, the mouth is a powerful tool for both blessing and cursing. By choosing not to "open his mouth," David refrains from defending himself or retaliating against his enemies. This restraint is a testament to his faith in God’s justice and timing. It serves as an inspirational reminder for believers to trust in God’s sovereignty and to practice patience and humility in the face of adversity.

Verse 13. - But I, as a deaf man, heard not. I took no notice, i.e. I made as if I was deaf. And I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. So far this psalmist, whether David or another, was a type of Christ (see Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 26:63; Matthew 27:14; 1 Peter 2:23).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But I,
וַאֲנִ֣י (wa·’ă·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

like a deaf man,
כְ֭חֵרֵשׁ (ḵə·ḥê·rêš)
Preposition-k | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2795: Deaf

do not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

hear,
אֶשְׁמָ֑ע (’eš·mā‘)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

and like a mute man,
וּ֝כְאִלֵּ֗ם (ū·ḵə·’il·lêm)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 483: Mute (unable to speak)

I do not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

open
יִפְתַּח־ (yip̄·taḥ-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

my mouth.
פִּֽיו׃ (pîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to


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OT Poetry: Psalm 38:13 But I as a deaf man don't (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 38:12
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