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 Melody of David. To bring to Remembrance. O Yahweh, do not, in thine anger, correct me, nor, in thy wrath, chastise me;

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

For, thine arrows, have sunk down into me, and thy hand, presseth 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.

There is no soundness in my flesh, By reason of thine indignation, There is no peace in my bones, By reason of my sin;

4 I'm drowning in guilt—the burden is too heavy to bear.

For, mine iniquities, have passed over my head, Like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me:

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

My wounds are of bad odour—they have festered, by reason 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 very low. All the day, have I gloomily walked;

7 Inside I'm burning up with fever; no part of my body is healthy.

For, my loins, are filled with inflammation, 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 benumbed and crushed exceedingly, —I have cried aloud because of the groaning of my heart.

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

O My Lord! before thee, is all my longing, and, my sighing, from thee, hath not been hid:

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

My heart, fluttereth, my strength hath forsaken me, and, as for the light of mine eyes, even they, are 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 lovers, and my friends, from before my stroke, stand aloof, —and, my near ones, far away, do stand:

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.

Yea they who are seeking my life, have laid snares, and they who are asking my harm, have threatened engulfing ruin, And, deceitful things—all day long, do they mutter.

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 one deaf, will not hear, —and as one dumb, who will not open his mouth:

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

Thus have I become as a man who cannot hear, in whose mouth are no arguments:

15 For I'm waiting on you, Lord! You will answer for me, my Lord and my God.

Because, for thee, O Yahweh, have I waited, Thou, wilt answer, O Adonay, 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 they rejoice over me! When my feet were tottering, against me, have they magnified themselves:

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

For, I, to halt, am ready, and, my pain, is before me continually;

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

For, mine iniquity, will I declare, I shall be anxious because of my sin;

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

And, my foes, are alive—have become strong, —and multiplied are they who hate me for false cause:

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

Even they who are repaying evil for good, accuse me because I pursue the good.

21 Don't give up on me, my Lord and my God, don't stay away from me.

Do not forsake me, O Yahweh, My God! be not far from me:

22 Hurry, come and help me, Lord my salvation.

Make haste to help me, My Lord, my deliverance!