Psalm 38

Prayer of a Suffering Penitent.

A Psalm of David, for a memorial.

1 Lord, do not rebuke me in Your wrath,

And do not punish me in Your burning anger.

2 For Your arrows have sunk deep into me,

And Your hand has pressed down on me.

3 There is no healthy part in my flesh because of Your indignation;

There is no health in my bones because of my sin.

4 For my guilty deeds have gone over my head;

Like a heavy burden they weigh too much for me.

5 My *38:5 Or stripeswounds grow foul and fester

Because of my foolishness.

6 I am bent over and greatly bowed down;

I go in mourning all day long.

7 For my *38:7 Lit loinssides are filled with burning,

And there is no healthy part in my flesh.

8 I feel faint and *38:8 Or greatlybadly crushed;

I *38:8 Lit roargroan because of the *38:8 Lit growlingagitation of my heart.

9 Lord, all my desire is *38:9 Or known to Youbefore You;

And my sighing is not hidden from You.

10 My heart throbs, my strength fails me;

And the light of my eyes, even *38:10 Lit they havethat *38:10 Lit is not with mehas gone from me.

11 My *38:11 Or loversloved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague;

And my kinsmen stand far away.

12 Those who seek my life lay snares for me;

And those who seek to injure me have *38:12 Lit spokenthreatened destruction,

And they plot deception all day long.

13 But I, like a person who is deaf, do not hear;

And I am like a person who cannot speak, who does not open his mouth.

14 Yes, I am like a person who does not hear,

And in whose mouth are no arguments.

15 For I wait for You, Lord;

You will answer, Lord my God.

16 For I said, "May they not rejoice over me,

Who, when my foot slips, would exalt themselves over me."

17 For I am ready to fall,

And my *38:17 Lit painsorrow is continually before me.

18 For I admit my guilt;

I am full of anxiety because of my sin.

19 But my enemies are vigorous and*38:19 Or numerousstrong,

And those who wrongfully hate me are many.

20 And those who repay evil for good,

They become my enemies, because I follow what is good.

21 Do not abandon me, Lord;

My God, do not be far from me!

22 Hurry to help me,

Lord, my salvation!