Psalms 38:14

KJV

Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth [are] no reproofs.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus I was as a man {H376} that heareth {H8085} not, and in whose mouth {H6310} are no reproofs {H8433}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yes, I've become like a man who doesn't hear and in whose mouth are no defenses.

Berean Standard Bible

I am like a man who cannot hear, whose mouth offers no reply.

American Standard Version

Yea, I am as a man that heareth not, And in whose mouth are no reproofs.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 38:14 vividly portrays King David's profound state of humility and deliberate non-response amidst intense suffering, both physical and spiritual, and relentless accusations from his adversaries. In this verse, he likens himself to one who neither hears nor offers any defense or counter-argument, signifying a conscious and intentional choice to remain silent and entrust his cause entirely to God's ultimate vindication, rather than engaging in self-justification or retaliation against his enemies' malicious attacks.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 38 stands as one of the seven traditional penitential psalms, a deeply personal and fervent lament where David pours out his soul before God, confessing his sin and detailing the overwhelming consequences. Immediately preceding verse 14, David graphically describes the devastating effects of his affliction, which he attributes to God's displeasure over his sin, as seen in his physical pain, emotional distress, and the alienation of his friends and family ([Psalms 38:1-8](/psalms/38-1-8 "Psalms 38:1-8 - David's Suffering and Confession")). Crucially, verses [Psalms 38:12-13](/psalms/38-12-13 "Psalms 38:12-13 - The Plots of Enemies") directly set the stage for his chosen silence. Here, David depicts his enemies actively laying snares, speaking malicious words, and plotting his ruin, while he, in response, states, "as a deaf man, heard not; and as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth." This directly precedes and reinforces the more explicit declaration of his deliberate non-engagement in verse 14, emphasizing a conscious posture of restraint in the face of slander and injustice.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** As king, David occupied a position of immense authority, public visibility, and responsibility. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a monarch's reputation, honor, and ability to defend his standing against accusations were paramount for maintaining legitimacy and control. To be afflicted, particularly with severe illness, was often interpreted as a sign of divine judgment or disfavor, which would have significantly amplified the shame and vulnerability David experienced, providing fertile ground for his enemies to undermine his rule. David's choice to remain silent and offer no "reproofs" was, therefore, not merely a personal act but a profound counter-cultural stance. He consciously foregoes the expected avenues of defense, counter-attack, or retaliation typically available to a king. This posture suggests a deep spiritual conviction that his ultimate vindication and the restoration of his honor rested not with human arguments or political maneuvering, but solely with divine justice and God's sovereign intervention.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Psalm 38 and the broader Psalter. It powerfully illustrates the theme of **silent submission and patient endurance** in suffering, where David refrains from defending himself, choosing to bear injustice quietly. This restraint is an active demonstration of profound **trust in divine justice**, as David implicitly believes that God sees his plight and will ultimately administer justice, echoing the sentiment found in [Psalms 62:1](/psalms/62-1 "Psalms 62:1 - Waiting on God Alone"), "My soul waiteth upon God." Furthermore, David's posture demonstrates **humility in adversity**, as he, a powerful king, adopts the stance of one who is helpless and undefended. This theme resonates deeply with the concept of the **suffering servant** found in prophetic literature, particularly in [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Silent Suffering Servant"), who "was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth." This foreshadowing is strikingly fulfilled in the life of Christ, who also remained silent before His accusers, as recorded in [Matthew 27:12-14](/matthew/27-12-14 "Matthew 27:12-14 - Jesus' Silence Before Pilate").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **heareth (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** This word (H8085) means to hear intelligently, often with implications of attention, obedience, or understanding. In the context of "heareth not," it signifies a deliberate refusal to acknowledge, respond to, or engage with the accusations and slanders of his enemies. It is not about a physical inability to perceive sound, but a conscious choice to ignore or disregard their taunts, adopting a posture of non-engagement and profound, intentional detachment from the verbal attacks.
* **mouth (Hebrew, _peh'_):** The term (H6310) refers to the literal mouth, but frequently functions figuratively to represent speech, utterance, or the means by which one expresses oneself. Here, it represents the instrument through which David would typically offer a defense, a counter-argument, or a rebuke. The phrase "in whose mouth are no reproofs" highlights the complete withholding of any verbal response, emphasizing a deliberate decision to remain silent.
* **reproofs (Hebrew, _tôwkêchâh'_):** This noun (H8433), derived from the verb _yakhaḥ_ (to argue, contend, correct, or rebuke), refers to chastisement, correction, refutation, or even proof. In this context, it specifically denotes the arguments, defenses, or counter-accusations David would normally use to refute charges or retaliate against his detractors. By stating that there were "no reproofs" in his mouth, David underscores his complete and active decision not to offer any form of self-justification, counter-accusation, or verbal defense against the lies and plots leveled against him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus I was as a man that heareth not":** This clause employs a vivid simile to describe David's chosen demeanor. He likens himself to someone who is deaf, not due to physical impairment, but because he has deliberately closed his "ears" to the malicious words and accusations of his enemies. This is an intentional act of non-engagement, a refusal to be drawn into their verbal conflict or to allow their slanders to provoke a response from him. It speaks to a profound inner resolve to remain detached from the external clamor of his adversaries.
* **"and in whose mouth [are] no reproofs":** This second clause further clarifies and reinforces the first, specifying the practical outcome of his "not hearing." It means that he offers no verbal defense, no counter-arguments, and no rebukes. His mouth remains shut, not out of an inability to speak, but out of a conscious decision to withhold any form of self-vindication. This signifies a complete surrender of his right to defend himself, entrusting his reputation and his cause entirely to a higher power, presumably God, rather than relying on human rhetoric or argument.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively utilizes several literary devices to convey David's profound state of chosen silence. The most prominent is **Simile**, evident in "Thus I was as a man that heareth not," which vividly portrays David's chosen posture of non-response by comparing him to someone physically deaf. This comparison emphasizes the deliberate and active nature of his silence, not as a weakness but as a conscious, resolute act. There is also an element of **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche** in the phrase "in whose mouth [are] no reproofs," where "mouth" stands for the act of speaking or defending oneself, highlighting the complete absence of verbal engagement. The overall tone of the psalm is a **Lament**, and this verse contributes to the pathos by showcasing David's vulnerable yet resolute stance. Furthermore, there is a subtle **Paradox** at play: a powerful king, expected to defend his honor and authority, chooses instead a path of apparent powerlessness in speech, which, in the context of divine trust, becomes a profound display of spiritual strength and faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
David's deliberate silence in the face of unjust accusation and overwhelming suffering is a profound theological statement, demonstrating a radical trust in God's ultimate justice and sovereignty. It embodies the spiritual discipline of restraint, acknowledging that true vindication comes from the Lord, not from human argument or self-defense. This posture transcends mere resignation; it is an active act of faith, a relinquishing of control over one's reputation and circumstances into the hands of a righteous God. It teaches that there are moments when silence, born of humility and unwavering trust, is a more powerful and God-honoring response than any verbal defense. This alignment of one's spirit with divine patience allows God to be the ultimate arbiter of truth and the perfect administrator of justice.

* [Psalms 39:9](/psalms/39-9 "Silence Before God")
* [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "The Silent Suffering Servant")
* [1 Peter 2:23](/1_peter/2-23 "Christ's Example of Suffering")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 38:14 offers a powerful, counter-cultural model for believers facing unjust criticism, slander, or persecution in a world that often demands immediate self-defense and retaliation. David's example challenges us to consider the spiritual power of restraint and the profound act of entrusting our reputation and cause to God. In moments of intense personal attack, our natural inclination is to defend ourselves vigorously, to refute every lie, and to justify our actions. However, David demonstrates that there are times when a deliberate, prayerful silence, rooted in humility and unwavering faith, is the most faithful and ultimately effective response. This does not imply passivity in the face of injustice but rather a discerning wisdom that recognizes when our defense is best left to the One who sees all things and judges righteously. It encourages us to cultivate patience, to resist the urge for immediate vindication, and to trust that God will ultimately bring truth to light and administer justice in His perfect timing, thereby honoring Him above our own desire for self-preservation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When is silence a more potent and God-honoring response than immediate self-defense in the face of unjust criticism?**
* **How does trusting God for vindication challenge our natural desire to control our narrative and defend our reputation?**
* **What role does humility play in our ability to remain silent when our character is being attacked?**

### FAQ
**Why did David choose to remain silent instead of defending himself, especially as a king?**

Answer: David's decision to remain silent, even as a king with the power and cultural expectation to defend himself, was multi-faceted and deeply spiritual. Firstly, it stemmed from a profound sense of humility and a recognition of his own sinfulness, which he confessed throughout Psalm 38. He understood that his suffering, in part, was a consequence of his actions, and therefore, he may have felt that any self-defense would be an attempt to justify himself before God rather than humbly accepting divine discipline. Secondly, his silence was an act of radical trust in divine justice. By refraining from offering "reproofs," he was essentially laying his case before God, believing that the Lord, who sees all and judges righteously, would ultimately be his vindicator. This echoes the sentiment found in [Psalm 7:8](/psalms/7-8 "Psalm 7:8 - God Judges the Peoples"). Culturally, while kings were expected to defend their honor, David's choice demonstrates a higher allegiance to God's sovereignty over human opinion or immediate vindication. It was a strategic spiritual move, leaving his ultimate defense to God, rather than engaging in a futile verbal battle with his accusers.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's experience in Psalms 38:14, where he remains silent and offers no reproofs in the face of accusation, serves as a powerful Old Testament foreshadowing of the ultimate Suffering Servant, Jesus Christ. While David's silence was born out of his own sin and suffering, it imperfectly prefigured the perfect, sinless silence of Jesus before His accusers. When Jesus stood before the high priest and later before Pilate, despite facing false witnesses and baseless charges, He "answered nothing" ([Matthew 26:62-63](/matthew/26-62-63 "Matthew 26:62-63 - Jesus Before the High Priest"); [Matthew 27:12-14](/matthew/27-12-14 "Matthew 27:12-14 - Jesus Before Pilate")). This was not a sign of weakness or inability to defend Himself, but a sovereign, deliberate act of obedience to the Father's will and a profound fulfillment of prophetic scripture, particularly [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Silent Suffering Servant"). Jesus, the innocent Lamb of God, willingly submitted to injustice, allowing Himself to be led "as a lamb to the slaughter," without opening His mouth. His silence was the ultimate act of humility, trust in the Father's justice, and self-sacrifice, through which He bore the sins of the world and secured our redemption, demonstrating that true vindication and power come not through human defense but through divine suffering and resurrection ([Philippians 2:8-9](/philippians/2-8-9 "Philippians 2:8-9 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 8:6

This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with [his] finger wrote on the ground, [as though he heard them not].

Mark 15:3

And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.

Mark 15:5

But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.

Amos 5:13

Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it [is] an evil time.

Micah 7:5

Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.