< Psalms 38 >
1 “A psalm of David. To bring to remembrance.” O LORD! rebuke me not in thy wrath, Nor chasten me in thy hot displeasure!
2 For thine arrows have deeply pierced me, And thy hand hath been heavy upon me.
3 There is no soundness in my flesh, because of thine anger; Nor rest in my bones, because of my sin.
4 For my iniquities have gone over my head; Like a heavy burden, they are more than I can bear.
5 My wounds putrefy and are loathsome on account of my folly.
6 I am bent; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.
7 For my loins are full of burning heat, And there is no soundness in my flesh.
8 I am weakened and bruised exceedingly; I roar by reason of the disquietude of my heart.
9 O Lord! thou knowest all my desire, And my groaning is not hidden from thee!
10 My heart panteth; my strength faileth me; The very light of my eyes is gone from me.
11 My friends and acquaintance keep aloof from my woe, And my kinsmen stand afar off:
12 While they who seek my life lay snares for me; They who seek my hurt threaten destruction, And meditate deceit all the day long.
13 But I, like a deaf man, hear not; And, like a dumb man, open not my mouth.
14 I am like one who heareth nothing, And in whose mouth is no reply.
15 For in thee, O LORD! do I put my trust; Thou wilt hear, O Lord, my God!
16 For I have prayed, “Let them not rejoice over me; Let them not exult at the slipping of my feet!”
17 For I am ready to fall, And my pain doth never leave me;
18 For I confess my iniquity, And am troubled on account of my sin.
19 But my enemies flourish and are strong; They who hate me without cause are multiplied.
20 They who repay good with evil are my enemies, Because I follow that which is good.
21 Forsake me not, O LORD! O my God! be not far from me!
22 Make hast to mine aid, O Lord, my salvation!