Psalms 38:19

“But mine enemies [are] lively, etc.] Or “living” f546 or “live”; not in a spiritual sense; for they had no lively hope, nor living faith, but were dead in trespasses and sins; nor merely in a natural sense, or corporeally, so David was living himself; but in great prosperity and worldly happiness, and so were brisk and cheerful, and lived a merry and pleasent life; [and] they are strong; not only hale and robust in body, but abounded in riches and wealth, which are the strength of wicked men; and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied; that is, such as hated him without a cause, and made lies and falsehoods the reasons of it: these increased in numbers, or in their outward state and…”

“Still, while humbled before God, he is the victim of deadly enemies, full of malice and treachery. enemies are lively--literally, "of life," who would take my life, that is, deadly.”

“But mine enemies are lively ... - DeWette renders this, “My enemies live and are strong.” The word translated “lively” - חיים chayiym - means properly “living, being alive.” The literal translation would be, “My enemies, being alive, are strong.” The idea is, that while he was weak and apparently near to death, they were in the full vigor of life and health. They were able to engage in active efforts to accomplish their purposes. They could take advantage of his weakness; and he could not contend with them, for he was no match for them. In every respect they had the advantage of him; and he prays, therefore, for the divine interposition in his behalf. And they that hate me wrongfully -…”

“Strong - Are thriving and flourishing. Next: Psalms Chapter 39”

“38:19 That the psalmist’s enemies hate him without reason compounds his pain.”

“But: Psa 3:1, Psa 25:19, Psa 56:1, Psa 56:2, Psa 59:1-3 are lively: etc. Heb. being living are strong, Instead of chaymin, "lively" Bp. Lowth would read chinmon, "without cause" - "but mine enemies without cause have strengthened themselves." As this emendation renders this member of the sentence parallel to the other, it is by no means improbable. See note on Psa 35:19; Psa 79:5. they that: Psa 35:19, Psa 69:4; Mat 10:22; Joh 15:18-25; Act 4:25-28 Psalms 38:20”