Psalms 38

1 A Psalm of David for remembrance concerning the Sabbath-day. O Lord, rebuke me not in your wrath, neither chasten me in your anger.

A psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. Yahweh, do not rebuke me in your anger; do not punish me in your wrath.

2 For your weapons are fixed in me, and you have pressed your hand heavily upon me.

For your arrows pierce me, and your hand presses me down.

3 For there is no health in my flesh because of your anger; there is no peace to my bones because of my sins.

My whole body is sick because of your anger; there is no health in my bones because of my sin.

4 For my transgressions have gone over mine head: they have pressed heavily upon me like a weighty burden.

For my iniquities overwhelm me; they are a burden too heavy for me.

5 My bruises have become noisome and corrupt, because of my foolishness.

My wounds are infected and smell because of my foolish sins.

6 I have been wretched and bowed down continually: I went with a mourning countenance all the day.

I am stooped over and humiliated every day; I go about mourning all day long.

7 For my soul is filled with mockings; and there is no health in my flesh.

For within me, I am filled with burning; there is no health in my flesh.

8 I have been afflicted and brought down exceedingly: I have roared for the groaning of my heart.

I am numb and utterly crushed; I groan because of the anguish of my heart.

9 But all my desire is before you; and my groaning is not hidden from you.

Lord, you understand my heart's deepest yearnings, and my groanings are not hidden from you.

10 My heart is troubled, my strength has failed me; and the light of mine eyes is not with me.

My heart pounds, my strength fades, and my eyesight dims.

11 My friends and my neighbours drew near before me, and stood still; and my nearest of kin stood afar off.

My friends and companions shun me because of my condition; my neighbors stand far off.

12 While they pressed hard upon me that sought my soul: and they that sought my hurt spoke vanities, and devised deceits all the day.

Those who seek my life lay snares for me. They who seek my harm speak destructive words and say deceitful words all day long.

13 But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and was as a dumb man not opening his mouth.

But I, I am like a deaf man and hear nothing; I am like a mute man who says nothing.

14 And I was as a man that hears not, and who has no reproofs in his mouth.

I am like a man who does not hear and who has no reply.

15 For I hoped in you, O Lord: you will hear, O Lord my God.

Surely I wait for you, Yahweh; you will answer, Lord my God.

16 For I said, Lest mine enemies rejoice against me: for when my feet were moved, they spoke boastingly against me.

I say this so that my enemies will not gloat over me. If my foot slips, they will do terrible things to me.

17 For I am ready for plagues, and my grief is continually before me.

For I am about to stumble, and I am in constant pain.

18 For I will declare mine iniquity, and be distressed for my sin.

I confess my guilt; I am concerned about my sin.

19 But mine enemies live, and are mightier than I: and they that hate me unjustly are multiplied.

But my enemies are numerous; those who hate me wrongfully are many.

20 They that reward evil for good slandered me; because I followed righteousness.

They repay me evil for good; they hurl accusations at me although I have pursued what is good.

21 Forsake me not, O Lord my God: depart not from me.

Do not abandon me, Yahweh; my God, do not stay far away from me.

22 Draw near to my help, O Lord of my salvation.

Come quickly to help me, Lord, my salvation.