Psalms 38:21

Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.

Forsake {H5800} me not, O LORD {H3068}: O my God {H430}, be not far {H7368}{H8799)} from me.

Don't abandon me, ADONAI! My God, don't be far from me!

Do not forsake me, O LORD; be not far from me, O my God.

Forsake me not, O Jehovah: O my God, be not far from me.

Commentary on Psalms 38:21 KJV

Psalms 38:21 KJV: "Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me."

This poignant verse from Psalm 38 captures a desperate cry for divine presence and unwavering support. Penned by David during a time of immense personal suffering, both physically and emotionally, it expresses a profound fear of abandonment and a deep longing for God's closeness.

Context

Psalm 38 is a penitential psalm, meaning it's a psalm of confession and lament over sin and its consequences. David is not only afflicted with severe physical illness, but he also feels the weight of his transgressions, the scorn of his enemies, and the desertion of his friends and family (see Psalm 38:11). In this dire state, his ultimate hope and plea are directed solely towards God, his only true refuge. The verse serves as a culmination of his anguish, an earnest prayer for God not to withdraw His sustaining hand.

Key Themes

  • Divine Presence and Proximity: The core of this verse is David's fervent desire for God to remain near. He understands that God's closeness is his greatest comfort and source of strength amidst his trials.
  • Dependence on God: Facing overwhelming adversity, David acknowledges his complete reliance on the LORD. His plea is an admission that without God's active involvement, he is lost.
  • Prayer in Distress: This verse exemplifies honest, heartfelt prayer during intense suffering. It encourages believers to voice their deepest fears and needs to God, even when they feel abandoned.
  • Fear of Abandonment: David's cry echoes a universal human fear – the dread of being left alone, especially in times of weakness. This psalm validates such feelings and directs them towards a God who hears.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew behind "Forsake me not" is 'al-titt'sheni, meaning "do not abandon me" or "do not leave me." It's a strong negative imperative. Similarly, "be not far from me" ('al tirḥaq mimmennī) emphasizes the desire for active proximity and engagement rather than a passive absence. The use of both "O LORD" (YHWH, God's covenant name, highlighting His faithfulness) and "O my God" ('Elohai, emphasizing a personal relationship) underscores the depth of David's intimate appeal to the One who is both sovereign and personally connected to him.

Related Scriptures

David's cry echoes similar sentiments found in other psalms of lament, such as Psalm 22:1, where Jesus Himself quotes from the cross, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" This plea, while deeply personal, resonates with the universal human fear of abandonment, even though God promises His people, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." His prayer for God's presence reminds us that the Lord is near unto them that are of a broken heart.

Practical Application

Psalms 38:21 offers profound comfort and guidance for believers today. It teaches us that it is permissible, even necessary, to voice our deepest fears and sense of isolation to God. When we feel overwhelmed by life's burdens, the weight of our sins, or the perceived distance of God, this verse provides a template for prayer. It reminds us that our personal relationship with the "LORD" and "my God" means we can always appeal to His faithfulness and promise of presence, even when He feels far away. Our faith is strengthened when we persevere in prayer, trusting that God hears and will never truly abandon those who call upon Him.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 22:19

    But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.

  • Psalms 22:24

    For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.

  • Psalms 22:11

    ¶ Be not far from me; for trouble [is] near; for [there is] none to help.

  • Psalms 35:21

    Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, [and] said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen [it].

  • Psalms 35:22

    [This] thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.

  • Psalms 22:1

    ¶ To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? [why art thou so] far from helping me, [and from] the words of my roaring?

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