< 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.
2 For thy arrows have penetrated into me, and thy hand presseth down upon me.
3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of thy indignation: there is no peace in my bones because of my sin.
4 For my iniquities are passed over my head, as a heavy burden are they too heavy for me.
5 Foul, corrupt are my bruises because of my folly.
6 I am bent double; I am bowed down to the utmost; all the day long I go about full of grief.
7 For my loins are filled with a burning disease, and there is no soundness in my flesh.
8 I am made faint and crushed to the utmost; I cry aloud because of the groaning of my heart.
9 Lord, before thee is all my longing; and my sighing is from thee not hidden.
10 My heart is restless, my strength hath left me; and the light of my eyes—that also is no more with me.
11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my plague; and my kinsmen stand afar off.
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.
13 But I, as a deaf man, hear not; and I am as a dumb man that cannot open his mouth.
14 Thus am I as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no words of defence.
15 For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt answer, O Lord my God.
16 For I said, Perhaps they might rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they might magnify themselves over me.
17 For I am prepared for [my] downfall, and my pain is continually before me.
18 For I will tell of my iniquity; I will be grieved because of my sin.
19 But my enemies are strong in life; and numerous are those that hate me wrongfully;
20 They also that repay [me] evil in lieu of good; they hate me bitterly because I pursue what is good.
21 Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not far from me.
22 Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation.