Psalms 38
1 “A psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.” O Lord, correct me not in thy wrath, nor chastise me in thy fury.
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 thy arrows have penetrated into me, and thy hand presseth 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 thy indignation: there is no peace 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 my iniquities are passed over my head, as a heavy burden are they too heavy for me.
I'm drowning in guilt—the burden is too heavy to bear.
5 Foul, corrupt are my bruises because of my folly.
My wounds are infected—they're smelling—all because of my stupidity.
6 I am bent double; I am bowed down to the utmost; all the day long I go about full of grief.
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 a burning disease, 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 made faint and crushed to the utmost; I cry aloud because of the groaning of my heart.
I'm worn out, totally down. I groan because of the anguish I feel in my heart.
9 Lord, before thee is all my longing; and my sighing is from thee not hidden.
Lord, you know what I desperately want, you hear every sigh I make.
10 My heart is restless, my strength hath left me; and the light of my eyes—that also is no more with me.
My heart is racing, leaving me with no strength; my eyesight is failing.
11 My lovers and my friends 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; and they that wish for my mishap speak wicked falsehoods; and deceits do they devise all the day long.
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, as a deaf man, hear not; and I am as a dumb man that cannot open 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 Thus am I as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no words of defence.
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, Perhaps they might rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they might magnify themselves over 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 prepared for [my] downfall, and my pain is continually before me.
For I'm about ready to collapse—the pain never stops.
18 For I will tell of my iniquity; I will be grieved because of my sin.
I do confess my sins; I am terribly sorry for what I've done.
19 But my enemies are strong in life; and numerous are those that hate me wrongfully;
I have many powerful enemies—they are very active, hating me for no reason.
20 They also that repay [me] evil in lieu of good; they hate me bitterly because I pursue what 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.
