16 For I said, "Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip."
16 For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.
16 For I said, "Only let them not rejoice over me, who boast against me when my foot slips!"
16 I wait and pray so they won't laugh me off, won't smugly strut off when I stumble.
16 For I said, "Hear me, lest they rejoice over me, Lest, when my foot slips, they exalt themselves against me."
16 I prayed, "Don't let my enemies gloat over me or rejoice at my downfall."
9 he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping.
9 Which holdeth
9 who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip.
9 Didn't he set us on the road to life? Didn't he keep us out of the ditch?
9 Who keeps our soul among the living, And does not allow our feet to be moved.
9 Our lives are in his hands, and he keeps our feet from stumbling.
(Read Psalm 66:8-12)
The Lord not only preserves our temporal life, but maintains the spiritual life which he has given to believers. By afflictions we are proved, as silver in the fire. The troubles of the church will certainly end well. Through various conflicts and troubles, the slave of Satan escapes from his yoke, and obtains joy and peace in believing: through much tribulation the believer must enter into the kingdom of God.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 38:16
Commentary on Psalm 38:12-22
(Read Psalm 38:12-22)
Wicked men hate goodness, even when they benefit by it. David, in the complaints he makes of his enemies, seems to refer to Christ. But our enemies do us real mischief only when they drive us from God and our duty. The true believer's trouble will be made useful; he will learn to wait for his God, and will not seek relief from the world or himself. The less we notice the unkindness and injuries that are done us, the more we consult the quiet of our own minds. David's troubles were the chastisement and the consequence of his transgressions, whilst Christ suffered for our sins and ours only. What right can a sinner have to yield to impatience or anger, when mercifully corrected for his sins? David was very sensible of the present workings of corruption in him. Good men, by setting their sorrow continually before them, have been ready to fall; but by setting God always before them, they have kept their standing. If we are truly penitent for sin, that will make us patient under affliction. Nothing goes nearer to the heart of a believer when in affliction, than to be under the apprehension of God's deserting him; nor does any thing come more feelingly from his heart than this prayer, "Be not far from me." The Lord will hasten to help those who trust in him as their salvation.