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 by David, for a memorial. LORD, don’t rebuke me in your wrath, neither chasten me in your hot displeasure.

2 For Your arrows have come down on me, And You let down Your hand on me.

For your arrows have pierced me, your hand presses hard on me.

3 Soundness is not in my flesh, Because of Your indignation, Peace is not in my bones, Because of my sin.

There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation, neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin.

4 For my iniquities have passed over my head, As a heavy burden—too heavy for me.

For my iniquities have gone over my head. As a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.

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

My wounds are loathsome and corrupt because of my foolishness.

6 I have been bent down, I have been bowed down—to excess, I have gone mourning all the day.

I am in pain and bowed down greatly. I go mourning all day long.

7 For my flanks have been full of drought, And soundness is not in my flesh.

For my waist is filled with burning. There is no soundness in my flesh.

8 I have been feeble and struck—to excess, I have roared from disquietude of heart.

I am faint and severely bruised. I have groaned by reason of the anguish of my heart.

9 Lord, all my desire [is] before You, And my sighing has not been hid from You.

Lord, all my desire is before you. My groaning is not hidden from you.

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

My heart throbs. My strength fails me. As for the light of my eyes, it has also left me.

11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from before my plague. And my neighbors have stood far off.

My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my plague. My kinsmen stand far away.

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.

They also who seek after my life lay snares. Those who seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and meditate deceits all day long.

13 And I, as deaf, do not hear. And as a mute one who does not open his mouth.

But I, as a deaf man, don’t hear. I am as a mute man who doesn’t open his mouth.

14 Indeed, I am as a man who does not hear, And in his mouth are no reproofs.

Yes, I am as a man who doesn’t hear, in whose mouth are no reproofs.

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

For I hope in you, LORD. You will answer, Lord my God.

16 When I said, “Lest they rejoice over me, In the slipping of my foot they magnified themselves against me.”

For I said, “Don’t let them gloat over me, or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips.”

17 For I am ready to halt, And my pain [is] continually before me.

For I am ready to fall. My pain is continually before me.

18 For I declare my iniquity, I am sorry for my sin.

For I will declare my iniquity. I will be sorry for my sin.

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

But my enemies are vigorous and many. Those who hate me without reason are numerous.

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

They who render evil for good are also adversaries to me, because I follow what is good.

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

Don’t forsake me, LORD. My God, don’t be far from me.

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

Hurry to help me, Lord, my salvation.