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. Yahweh, do not rebuke me in your anger; do not punish me in your wrath.
2 Your arrows have pierced me deeply, your hand has come down hard on me.
For your arrows pierce me, and your hand presses me down.
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.
My whole body is sick because of your anger; there is no health in my bones because of my sin.
4 I'm drowning in guilt—the burden is too heavy to bear.
For my iniquities overwhelm me; they are a burden too heavy for me.
5 My wounds are infected—they're smelling—all because of my stupidity.
My wounds are infected and smell because of my foolish sins.
6 I am bent over, doubled up in pain. The whole day I walk around crying my eyes out.
I am stooped over and humiliated every day; I go about mourning all day long.
7 Inside I'm burning up with fever; no part of my body is healthy.
For within me, I am filled with burning; 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 am numb and utterly crushed; I groan because of the anguish of my heart.
9 Lord, you know what I desperately want, you hear every sigh I make.
Lord, you understand my heart's deepest yearnings, and my groanings are not hidden from you.
10 My heart is racing, leaving me with no strength; my eyesight is failing.
My heart pounds, my strength fades, and my eyesight dims.
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 companions shun me because of my condition; my neighbors stand far 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.
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 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, I am like a deaf man and hear nothing; I am like a mute man who says nothing.
14 Like a man who can't hear, and who doesn't reply—that's me!
I am like a man who does not hear and who has no reply.
15 For I'm waiting on you, Lord! You will answer for me, my Lord and my God.
Surely I wait for you, Yahweh; you will answer, 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.
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'm about ready to collapse—the pain never stops.
For I am about to stumble, and I am in constant pain.
18 I do confess my sins; I am terribly sorry for what I've done.
I confess my guilt; I am concerned about my sin.
19 I have many powerful enemies—they are very active, hating me for no reason.
But my enemies are numerous; those who hate me wrongfully are many.
20 They pay me back evil for good; they accuse me for the good I try to do.
They repay me evil for good; they hurl accusations at me although I have pursued what is good.
21 Don't give up on me, my Lord and my God, don't stay away from me.
Do not abandon me, Yahweh; my God, do not stay far away from me.
22 Hurry, come and help me, Lord my salvation.
Come quickly to help me, Lord, my salvation.
