Psalms 38:14
Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs.
Psalms 38:14
Building on the prior verse, Psalm 38:14 uses the imagery of a deaf man to describe ongoing incapacity to respond to admonition: being like a man who hears nothing and has no reproach in his mouth. This intensifies the sense of isolation and unresponsiveness. The speaker is not merely choosing silence but is depicted as someone who cannot or will not voice correction of others. The context suggests a moment of both personal pain and moral reflex—perhaps acknowledging that when one’s own sin and suffering are overwhelming, one’s posture toward the world becomes inward and muted. It also signals that the psalmist’s heart is not ready to rebuke others or to engage in a constructive moral discourse, which can deepen relational and spiritual trouble.
Theologically, this verse presents the moral hazard of being silenced by suffering or pride, where one’s own sin and pain prevent righteous speech. It contrasts with the biblical call to rebuke sin gently and to cultivate a righteous tongue (James 3:5–6). The verse invites readers to reflect on how easily hardship can mute a voice that once spoke truth or comfort, and it invites prayer for renewal of speech—toward honesty about sin and toward exhortation that builds up others.
Ask: when do I withhold the hard truth or fail to speak up for righteousness due to fear or pain? Practice balanced communication: timely, compassionate, and truthful. If you’re in leadership, cultivate channels for constructive feedback and ensure you respond rather than retreat when faced with admonition. If you’re the listener, discern when silence may be complicity and what you owe others in terms of truth-telling with grace. For those under oppression or hardship, this verse can be a reminder to seek voices of wisdom to restore your ability to speak rightly and to seek forgiveness if your silence harmed others. The key practical move is to re-engage in honest dialogue with a posture of humility before God.
Cross-References: Proverbs 27:6; Ephesians 4:29; James 3:9–10; Psalm 39:1