Psalms 38

1 A PSALM OF DAVID. “TO CAUSE TO REMEMBER.” YHWH, do not reprove me in Your wrath, Nor discipline me in Your 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 Your arrows have come down on me, And You let down Your hand on me.

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

3 Soundness is not in my flesh, Because of Your indignation, Peace is not 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 have passed over my head, As a heavy burden—too heavy for me.

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

5 Stunk—my wounds have become corrupt, Because of my folly.

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

6 I have been bent down, I have been bowed down—to excess, I have gone 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 flanks have been full of drought, And soundness is not in my flesh.

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

8 I have been feeble and struck—to excess, I have roared from disquietude of 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 You, And my sighing has not been hid from You.

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

10 My heart [is] panting, my power has forsaken me, And the light of my eyes, Even they are not with me.

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

11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from before my plague. And my neighbors have stood far 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 And those seeking my soul lay a snare, And those seeking my evil Have spoken mischievous things, And they meditate [on] 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 And I, as deaf, do not hear. And as a mute one who does not 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 Indeed, I am as a man who does not hear, And in his mouth are no reproofs.

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

15 Because for You, O YHWH, I have waited, You answer, O Lord my God.

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

16 When I said, “Lest they rejoice over me, In the slipping of my foot they magnified 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 declare my iniquity, I am sorry for my sin.

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

19 And my enemies [are] lively, They have been strong, and those hating me without cause, Have been multiplied.

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

20 And those paying evil for good accuse me, Because of my pursuing good.

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

21 Do not forsake me, O YHWH, My God, do not be far from me,

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

22 Hurry to help me, O Lord, my salvation!

Hurry, come and help me, Lord my salvation.