Psalms 38
1 A Psalm of David, to make memorial. O LORD, rebuke me not in Thine anger; neither chasten me in Thy wrath.
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!
2 For Thine arrows are gone deep into me, and Thy hand is come down upon me.
Your arrows have pierced me deeply, your hand has come down hard on me.
3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of Thine indignation; neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin.
Because you're so upset with me, not a single part of my body is healthy; I am completely sick because of my sins.
4 For mine iniquities are gone over my head; as a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
I'm drowning in guilt—the burden is too heavy to bear.
5 My wounds are noisome, they fester, because of my foolishness.
My wounds are infected—they're smelling—all because of my stupidity.
6 I am bent and bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day.
I am bent over, doubled up in pain. The whole day I walk around crying my eyes out.
7 For my loins are filled with burning; and there is no soundness in my flesh.
Inside I'm burning up with fever; no part of my body is healthy.
8 I am benumbed and sore crushed; I groan by reason of the moaning of my heart.
I'm worn out, totally down. I groan because of the anguish I feel in my heart.
9 Lord, all my desire is before Thee; and my sighing is not hid from Thee.
Lord, you know what I desperately want, you hear every sigh I make.
10 My heart fluttereth, my strength faileth me; as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.
My heart is racing, leaving me with no strength; my eyesight is failing.
11 My friends and my companions stand aloof from my plague; and my kinsmen stand afar off.
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.
12 They also that seek after my life lay snares for me; and they that seek my hurt speak crafty devices, and utter deceits all the day.
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.
13 But I am as a deaf man, I hear not; and I am as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.
I act as if I'm deaf to what they're saying, and pretend to be dumb so I don't have to speak.
14 Yea, I am become as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no arguments.
Like a man who can't hear, and who doesn't reply—that's me!
15 For in Thee, O LORD, do I hope; Thou wilt answer, O Lord my God.
For I'm waiting on you, Lord! You will answer for me, my Lord and my God.
16 For I said: 'Lest they rejoice over me; when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.'
I'm asking you, Lord, please don't let my enemies gloat over me, don't let them be glad when I trip up.
17 For I am ready to halt, and my pain is continually before me.
For I'm about ready to collapse—the pain never stops.
18 For I do declare mine iniquity; I am full of care because of my sin.
I do confess my sins; I am terribly sorry for what I've done.
19 But mine enemies are strong in health; and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
I have many powerful enemies—they are very active, hating me for no reason.
20 They also that repay evil for good are adversaries unto me, because I follow the thing that is good.
They pay me back evil for good; they accuse me for the good I try to do.
21 Forsake me not, O LORD; O my God, be not far from me.
Don't give up on me, my Lord and my God, don't stay away from me.
22 Make haste to help me, O LORD, my salvation.
Hurry, come and help me, Lord my salvation.
