Psalm 38:12 Study Bible: They also who seek after my life lay snares. Those who seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and meditate deceits all day long.

◄ Psalm 38:12 ►

Those who seek my life lay snares; those who wish me harm speak destruction, plotting deceit all day long.

Those who seek my life lay snares;
This phrase reflects the intense persecution and danger faced by the psalmist, traditionally attributed to David. The imagery of laying snares suggests a deliberate and cunning attempt to trap or harm the psalmist, akin to hunters setting traps for animals. This can be connected to David's experiences with King Saul, who sought his life out of jealousy and fear (1 Samuel 18-24). The use of "snares" also evokes the spiritual warfare believers face, as seen in Ephesians 6:11, where Paul speaks of the "schemes of the devil."

those who wish me harm speak destruction,
The desire for harm and the speaking of destruction indicate malicious intent and verbal attacks. In the ancient Near Eastern context, words held significant power, and curses or slander could have devastating effects on one's reputation and social standing. This reflects the broader biblical theme of the power of the tongue, as seen in James 3:6, where the tongue is described as a fire capable of great destruction. The psalmist's experience can be seen as a type of Christ, who also faced false accusations and verbal abuse (Matthew 26:59-61).

plotting deceit all day long.
The continuous nature of the plotting ("all day long") underscores the relentless and pervasive nature of the opposition. This mirrors the experience of many biblical figures who faced constant threats, such as Nehemiah, who dealt with persistent plots against his leadership (Nehemiah 4:7-8). The deceitful plotting also points to the broader theme of spiritual deception, as seen in the warnings against false prophets and teachers throughout Scripture (2 Peter 2:1). This phrase can also be seen as a foreshadowing of the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot, who plotted deceitfully against Him (Matthew 26:14-16).

Persons / Places / Events

1. David
Traditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 38, David is expressing his distress and seeking God's help amidst his suffering and the malice of his enemies.

2. Enemies
The individuals who are actively seeking to harm David, setting traps and plotting deceit against him.

3. God
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, God is the ultimate refuge and source of hope for David throughout the psalm.

Teaching Points

The Reality of Opposition
Believers should be aware that opposition and deceit are part of the spiritual battle. Just as David faced enemies, Christians today may encounter those who wish to harm them.

Trust in God's Deliverance
Despite the plots against him, David's psalm ultimately reflects a trust in God's deliverance. Believers are encouraged to place their trust in God when facing adversities.

Responding to Deceit
The response to deceit and harm should be rooted in prayer and seeking God's guidance, rather than retaliation or despair.

The Power of Prayer
David's psalm is a prayer for help and healing. It teaches the importance of turning to God in times of distress and relying on His strength.

Endurance in Trials
The persistence of David's enemies teaches believers the importance of endurance and faithfulness in the face of ongoing trials.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does David's experience with his enemies in Psalm 38:12 reflect the challenges faced by believers today?

2. In what ways can we apply David's response to deceit and harm in our own lives?

3. How does the theme of opposition in Psalm 38:12 connect with the experiences of other biblical figures like Jeremiah and Jesus?

4. What practical steps can we take to trust in God's deliverance when facing personal attacks or deceit?

5. How can prayer be a source of strength and guidance when dealing with those who wish us harm?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Psalm 31:13
This verse also speaks of David's experience with slander and plots against him, highlighting a recurring theme of betrayal and danger in his life.

Jeremiah 18:18
The prophet Jeremiah faces similar plots and deceit from those who wish to harm him, showing a parallel in the experiences of God's servants.

Matthew 26:4
The plotting against Jesus by the religious leaders reflects the same kind of deceit and malice that David experienced, showing the continuity of such trials for God's anointed.

Sermons

When Friends are Slow in Helping, Foes are Most Busy	A. Symson.	Psalm 38:12
A Fearful Picture of the Sufferings Which a Great Sin Can Cause	C. Short	Psalm 38:1-22
Great Personal Affliction	Homilist	Psalm 38:1-22
Sin Stinging Like an Adder	C. Clemance	Psalm 38:1-22
Things to be Remembered		Psalm 38:1-22
Thoughts in Affliction	W. Forsyth	Psalm 38:1-22

People

David, Jeduthun, Psalmist

Places

Jerusalem

Topics

Crafty, Deceit, Deceits, Deception, Designing, Desire, Destruction, Devices, Devise, Evil, Full, Harm, Hurt, Imagine, Injure, Lay, Meditate, Minds, Mischievous, Nets, Plot, Ruin, Seek, Seeking, Snare, Snares, Soul, Speak, Spoken, Talk, Threatened, Traps, Treachery, Utter

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Psalm 38:12

     5589   trap
     5817   conspiracies
     6146   deceit, and God
     6186   evil scheming
     8796   persecution, forms of

Psalm 38:1-14

8713 discouragement

Psalm 38:1-22

5888 inferiority

Psalm 38:12-15

5496 revenge, examples

Library

"Come unto Me, all Ye that Labour, and are Wearied," &C.
Matth. xi. 28.--"Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are wearied," &c. It is the great misery of Christians in this life, that they have such poor, narrow, and limited spirits, that are not fit to receive the truth of the gospel in its full comprehension; from whence manifold misapprehensions in judgment, and stumbling in practice proceed. The beauty and life of things consist in their entire union with one another, and in the conjunction of all their parts. Therefore it would not be a fit way …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Question Lxxxii of Devotion
I. Is Devotion a Special Kind of Act? Cardinal Cajetan, On the Meaning of the Term "Devotion" S. Augustine, Confessions, XIII. viii. 2 II. Is Devotion an Act of the Virtue of Religion? III. Is Contemplation, that is Meditation, the Cause of Devotion? Cardinal Cajetan, On the Causes of Devotion " " On the Devotion of Women IV. Is Joy an Effect of Devotion? Cardinal Cajetan, On Melancholy S. Augustine, Confessions, II. x. I Is Devotion a Special Kind of Act? It is by our acts that we merit. But …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

Out of the Deep of Suffering and Sorrow.
Save me, O God, for the waters are come in even unto my soul: I am come into deep waters; so that the floods run over me.--Ps. lxix. 1, 2. I am brought into so great trouble and misery: that I go mourning all the day long.--Ps. xxxviii. 6. The sorrows of my heart are enlarged: Oh! bring Thou me out of my distress.--Ps. xxv. 17. The Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping: the Lord will receive my prayer.--Ps. vi. 8. In the multitude of the sorrows which I had in my heart, Thy comforts have refreshed …
Charles Kingsley—Out of the Deep

Christ's Resurrection Song.
WHEN the blessed Lord appeared in the midst of His disciples and they beheld the risen One in His glorified body of flesh and bones and He ate before them, He told them that all things which were written in the Law of Moses, and the Prophets and in the Psalms concerning Him, had to be fulfilled (Luke xxiv:44). While on the way to Emmaus He said to the two sorrowing and perplexed disciples "Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory? And beginning at Moses and all …
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

The Acceptable Sacrifice;
OR, THE EXCELLENCY OF A BROKEN HEART: SHOWING THE NATURE, SIGNS, AND PROPER EFFECTS OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT. BEING THE LAST WORKS OF THAT EMINENT PREACHER AND FAITHFUL MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST, MR. JOHN BUNYAN, OF BEDFORD. WITH A PREFACE PREFIXED THEREUNTO BY AN EMINENT MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL IN LONDON. London: Sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgates, 1692. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The very excellent preface to this treatise, written by George Cokayn, will inform the reader of …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Question Lxxxiii of Prayer
I. Is Prayer an Act of the Appetitive Powers? Cardinal Cajetan, On Prayer based on Friendship II. Is it Fitting to Pray? Cardinal Cajetan, On Prayer as a True Cause S. Augustine, On the Sermon on the Mount, II. iii. 14 " On the Gift of Perseverance, vii. 15 III. Is Prayer an Act of the Virtue of Religion? Cardinal Cajetan, On the Humility of Prayer S. Augustine, On Psalm cii. 10 " Of the Gift of Perseverance, xvi. 39 IV. Ought We to Pray to God Alone? S. Augustine, Sermon, cxxvii. 2 V. …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

His Past Work.
His past work was accomplished by Him when he became incarnate. It was finished when He died on Calvary's cross. We have therefore to consider first of all these fundamentals of our faith. I. The Work of the Son of God is foreshadowed and predicted in the Old Testament Scriptures. II. The incarnation of the Son of God. III. His Work on the cross and what has been accomplished by it. I. Through the Old Testament Scriptures, God announced beforehand the work of His Son. This is a great theme and one …
A. C. Gaebelein—The Work Of Christ

What Manner of Man Ought not to Come to Rule.
Wherefore let every one measure himself wisely, lest he venture to assume a place of rule, while in himself vice still reigns unto condemnation; lest one whom his own guilt depraves desire to become an intercessor for the faults of others. For on this account it is said to Moses by the supernal voice, Speak unto Aaron; Whosoever he be of thy seed throughout their generations that hath a blemish, he shall not offer loaves of bread to the Lord his God (Lev. xxi. 17). And it is also immediately subjoined; …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Third Sunday after Trinity Humility, Trust, Watchfulness, Suffering
Text: 1 Peter 5, 5-11. 5 Likewise, ye younger, be subject unto the elder. Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; 7 casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 whom withstand stedfast …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Cæsarius of Arles.
He was born in the district of Chalons-sur-Saone, A. D. 470. He seems to have been early awakened, by a pious education, to vital Christianity. When he was between seven and eight years old, it would often happen that he would give a portion of his clothes to the poor whom he met, and would say, when he came home, that he had been, constrained to do so. When yet a youth, he entered the celebrated convent on the island of Lerins, (Lerina,) in Provence, from which a spirit of deep and practical piety …
Augustus Neander—Light in the Dark Places

Christian Meekness
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth Matthew 5:5 We are now got to the third step leading in the way to blessedness, Christian meekness. Blessed are the meek'. See how the Spirit of God adorns the hidden man of the heart, with multiplicity of graces! The workmanship of the Holy Ghost is not only curious, but various. It makes the heart meek, pure, peaceable etc. The graces therefore are compared to needlework, which is different and various in its flowers and colours (Psalm 45:14). …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Notes on the Third Century
Page 161. Line 1. He must be born again, &c. This is a compound citation from John iii. 3, and Mark x. 15, in the order named. Page 182. Line 17. For all things should work together, &c. See Romans viii. 28. Page 184. Lines 10-11. Being Satan is able, &c. 2 Corinthians xi. 14. Page 184. Last line. Like a sparrow, &c. Psalm cii. Page 187. Line 1. Mechanisms. This word is, in the original MS., mechanicismes.' Page 187. Line 7. Like the King's daughter, &c. Psalm xlv. 14. Page 188. Med. 39. The best …
Thomas Traherne—Centuries of Meditations

How is Christ, as the Life, to be Applied by a Soul that Misseth God's Favour and Countenance.
The sixth case, that we shall speak a little to, is a deadness, occasioned by the Lord's hiding of himself, who is their life, and "the fountain of life," Ps. xxxvi. 9, and "whose loving-kindness is better than life," Ps. lxiii. 3, and "in whose favour is their life," Ps. xxx. 5. A case, which the frequent complaints of the saints manifest to be rife enough, concerning which we shall, 1. Shew some of the consequences of the Lord's hiding his face, whereby the soul's case will appear. 2. Shew the …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also-
OR, A DISCOURSE TOUCHING PRAYER; WHEREIN IS BRIEFLY DISCOVERED, 1. WHAT PRAYER IS. 2. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT. 3. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT AND WITH THE UNDERSTANDING ALSO. WRITTEN IN PRISON, 1662. PUBLISHED, 1663. "For we know not what we should pray for as we ought:--the Spirit--helpeth our infirmities" (Rom 8:26). ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. There is no subject of more solemn importance to human happiness than prayer. It is the only medium of intercourse with heaven. "It is …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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