“They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.”
The psalmist describes how those who seek his life lay snares, and those who want to hurt him speak of destruction and plot deceit all day. The addition of enemies actively working toward his harm adds another dimension to the suffering. The mention of those seeking his life introduces the possibility that part of the affliction comes from human hostility, not merely divine judgment. This verse suggests that the psalmist faces both the consequences of his sin and active persecution from enemies.
Church Fathers on Psalms 38:12
A psalm to David himself, on the remembrance of the Sabbath. 1. What does this recollection of the Sabbath mean? What is this Sabbath? For it is with groaning that he “calls it to recollection.” You have both heard already when the Psalm was read, and you will now hear it when we shall go over it, how great is his groaning, his mourning, his tears, his misery. But happy he who is wretched after this manner! Whence the Lord also in the Gospel Matthew 5:4 called some who mourn…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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