Psalms 38
1 A psalm of David, for a memorial. Lord, please don't condemn me because you're angry with me; don't punish me because you're furious with me!
A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
2 Your arrows have pierced me deeply, your hand has come down hard on me.
For thy arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand falleth heavy upon me.
3 Because you're so upset with me, not a single part of my body is healthy; I am completely sick because of my sins.
There is no soundness in my flesh because of thy anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.
4 I'm drowning in guilt—the burden is too heavy to bear.
For my iniquities have gone over my head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
5 My wounds are infected—they're smelling—all because of my stupidity.
My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.
6 I am bent over, doubled up in pain. The whole day I walk around crying my eyes out.
I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.
7 Inside I'm burning up with fever; no part of my body is healthy.
For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh.
8 I'm worn out, totally down. I groan because of the anguish I feel in my heart.
I am feeble and grievously broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.
9 Lord, you know what I desperately want, you hear every sigh I make.
Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.
10 My heart is racing, leaving me with no strength; my eyesight is failing.
My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of my eyes, that also is gone from me.
11 My loved ones and my friends don't come near me because they're afraid of what I've got. Even my family keeps me at a distance.
My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my affliction; and my kinsmen stand afar off.
12 Those who are trying to kill me set traps for me; those who want to hurt me make threats against me, working on their deceitful schemes all day long.
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.
13 I act as if I'm deaf to what they're saying, and pretend to be dumb so I don't have to speak.
But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.
14 Like a man who can't hear, and who doesn't reply—that's me!
Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs.
15 For I'm waiting on you, Lord! You will answer for me, my Lord and my God.
For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.
16 I'm asking you, Lord, please don't let my enemies gloat over me, don't let them be glad when I trip up.
For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.
17 For I'm about ready to collapse—the pain never stops.
For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me.
18 I do confess my sins; I am terribly sorry for what I've done.
For I will declare my iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.
19 I have many powerful enemies—they are very active, hating me for no reason.
But my enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
20 They pay me back evil for good; they accuse me for the good I try to do.
They also that render evil for good are my adversaries; because I follow the thing that is good.
21 Don't give up on me, my Lord and my God, don't stay away from me.
Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.
22 Hurry, come and help me, Lord my salvation.
Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.
