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 for remembrance concerning the Sabbath-day. O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath, neither chasten me in thine anger.
2 Your arrows have pierced me deeply, your hand has come down hard on me.
For thy weapons are fixed in me, and thou hast pressed thy hand heavily 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.
For there is no health in my flesh because of thine anger; there is no peace to my bones because of my sins.
4 I'm drowning in guilt—the burden is too heavy to bear.
For my transgressions have gone over mine head: they have pressed heavily upon me like a weighty burden.
5 My wounds are infected—they're smelling—all because of my stupidity.
My bruises have become noisome and 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 have been wretched and bowed down continually: I went with a mourning countenance all the day.
7 Inside I'm burning up with fever; no part of my body is healthy.
For my soul is filled with mockings; and there is no health in my flesh.
8 I'm worn out, totally down. I groan because of the anguish I feel in my heart.
I have been afflicted and brought down exceedingly: I have roared for the groaning of my heart.
9 Lord, you know what I desperately want, you hear every sigh I make.
But all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hidden from thee.
10 My heart is racing, leaving me with no strength; my eyesight is failing.
My heart is troubled, my strength has failed me; and the light of mine eyes is not with 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 friends and my neighbours drew near before me, and stood still; and my nearest of kin stood 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.
While they pressed hard upon me that sought my soul: and they that sought my hurt spoke vanities, and devised deceits all the day.
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 was as a dumb man not opening his mouth.
14 Like a man who can't hear, and who doesn't reply—that's me!
And I was as a man that hears not, and who has no reproofs in his mouth.
15 For I'm waiting on you, Lord! You will answer for me, my Lord and my God.
For I hoped in thee, O Lord: 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, Lest mine enemies rejoice against me: for when my feet were moved, they spoke boastingly against me.
17 For I'm about ready to collapse—the pain never stops.
For I am ready for plagues, and my grief is continually before me.
18 I do confess my sins; I am terribly sorry for what I've done.
For I will declare mine iniquity, and be distressed for my sin.
19 I have many powerful enemies—they are very active, hating me for no reason.
But mine enemies live, and are mightier than I: and they that hate me unjustly are multiplied.
20 They pay me back evil for good; they accuse me for the good I try to do.
They that reward evil for good slandered me; because I followed righteousness.
21 Don't give up on me, my Lord and my God, don't stay away from me.
Forsake me not, O Lord my God: depart not from me.
22 Hurry, come and help me, Lord my salvation.
Draw nigh to my help, O Lord of my salvation.
