Psalms 38

1 A psalm for David, for a remembrance of the sabbath. Rebuke me not, O Lord, in thy indignation; nor chastise me in thy wrath.

A Psalm of David. A lament. Reprove me not, Lord, in your anger, and chasten me not in your wrath;

2 For thy arrows are fastened in me: and thy hand hath been strong upon me.

for your arrows have sunk into me, and your hand lies heavy upon me.

3 There is no health in my flesh, because of thy wrath: there is no peace for my bones, because of my sins.

In my flesh is no soundness because of your anger, no health in my bones, because of my sin.

4 For my iniquities are gone over my head: and as a heavy burden are become heavy upon me.

For that my guilt is gone over my head: it weighs like a burden too heavy for me.

5 My sores are putrified and corrupted, because of my foolishness.

My wounds stink and fester, for my foolishness I am tormented.

6 I am become miserable, and am bowed down even to the end: I walked sorrowful all the day long.

Bent and bowed am I utterly, all the day going in mourning.

7 For my loins are filled with illusions; and there is no health in my flesh.

My loins are filled with burning, and in my flesh is no soundness.

8 I am afflicted and humbled exceedingly: I roared with the groaning of my heart.

I am utterly crushed and numb; I cry louder than lion roars.

9 Lord, all my desire is before thee, and my groaning is not hidden from thee.

Lord, you know all that I long for, my groans are not hidden from you.

10 My heart is troubled, my strength hath left me, and the light of my eyes itself is not with me.

My heart is throbbing, my strength has failed me. The light of my eyes – even it is gone from me.

11 My friends and my neighbours have drawn near, and stood against me. And they that were near me stood afar off:

My dear ones and friends keep aloof, and my neighbours stand afar off.

12 And they that sought my soul used violence. And they that sought evils to me spoke vain things, and studied deceits all the day long.

They who aim at my life lay their snares, they who seek my hurt speak of ruin, nursing treachery all the day long.

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

But I turn a deaf ear and hear not; like the dumb I open not my mouth.

14 And I became as a man that heareth not: and that hath no reproofs in his mouth.

I am like one without hearing, with no arguments in my mouth.

15 For in thee, O Lord, have I hoped: thou wilt hear me, O Lord my God.

For my hope, O Lord, is in you. You will answer, O Lord my God,

16 For I said: Lest at any time my enemies rejoice over me: and whilst my feet are moved, they speak great things against me.

when I utter the hope that those who made scorn of my tottering feet may not rejoice over me.

17 For I am ready for scourges: and my sorrow is continually before me.

For I am ready to fall, my pain forsakes me never.

18 For I will declare my inequity: and I will think for my sin.

I acknowledge my guilt, I am anxious because of my sin:

19 But my enemies live, and are stronger that I: and they hate me wrongfully are multiplied.

My wanton assailants are strong, those who wrongfully hate me are many,

20 They that render evil for good, have detracted me, because I followed goodness.

who render me evil for good, and oppose me, because I make good my goal.

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

Do not forsake me, O Lord; my God, be not far from me.

22 Attend unto my help, O Lord, the God of my salvation.

Hasten to help me, O Lord my saviour.