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, Nor chasten me in thy hot displeasure!

2 Your arrows have pierced me deeply, your hand has come down hard on me.

For thine arrows have deeply pierced me, And thy hand hath been 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 thine anger; Nor 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; Like a heavy burden, they are more than I can bear.

5 My wounds are infected—they're smelling—all because of my stupidity.

My wounds putrefy and are loathsome on account of my folly.

6 I am bent over, doubled up in pain. The whole day I walk around crying my eyes out.

I am bent; 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 full of burning heat, 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 weakened and bruised exceedingly; I roar by reason of the disquietude of my heart.

9 Lord, you know what I desperately want, you hear every sigh I make.

O Lord! thou knowest all my desire, And my groaning is not hidden from thee!

10 My heart is racing, leaving me with no strength; my eyesight is failing.

My heart panteth; my strength faileth me; The very light of my eyes 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 friends and acquaintance keep aloof from my woe, 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.

While they who seek my life lay snares for me; They who seek my hurt threaten destruction, And meditate deceit 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, like a deaf man, hear not; And, like a dumb man, open not my mouth.

14 Like a man who can't hear, and who doesn't reply—that's me!

I am like one who heareth nothing, And in whose mouth is no reply.

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 put my trust; 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 have prayed, “Let them not rejoice over me; Let them not exult at the slipping of my feet!”

17 For I'm about ready to collapse—the pain never stops.

For I am ready to fall, And my pain doth never leave me;

18 I do confess my sins; I am terribly sorry for what I've done.

For I confess my iniquity, And am troubled on account of my sin.

19 I have many powerful enemies—they are very active, hating me for no reason.

But my enemies flourish and are strong; They who hate me without cause are multiplied.

20 They pay me back evil for good; they accuse me for the good I try to do.

They who repay good with evil are my enemies, Because I follow that which 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 hast to mine aid, O Lord, my salvation!