Psalms 38

1 A Psalm of David. A lament. Reprove me not, Lord, in your anger, and chasten me not in your wrath;

A psalm for David, for a remembrance of the sabbath. Rebuke me not, O Lord, in thy indignation; nor chastise me in thy wrath.

2 for your arrows have sunk into me, and your hand lies heavy upon me.

For thy arrows are fastened in me: and thy hand hath been strong upon me.

3 In my flesh is no soundness because of your anger, no health in my bones, because of my sin.

There is no health in my flesh, because of thy wrath: there is no peace for my bones, because of my sins.

4 For that my guilt is gone over my head: it weighs like a burden too heavy for me.

For my iniquities are gone over my head: and as a heavy burden are become heavy upon me.

5 My wounds stink and fester, for my foolishness I am tormented.

My sores are putrified and corrupted, because of my foolishness.

6 Bent and bowed am I utterly, all the day going in mourning.

I am become miserable, and am bowed down even to the end: I walked sorrowful all the day long.

7 My loins are filled with burning, and in my flesh is no soundness.

For my loins are filled with illusions; and there is no health in my flesh.

8 I am utterly crushed and numb; I cry louder than lion roars.

I am afflicted and humbled exceedingly: I roared with the groaning of my heart.

9 Lord, you know all that I long for, my groans are not hidden from you.

Lord, all my desire is before thee, and my groaning is not hidden from thee.

10 My heart is throbbing, my strength has failed me. The light of my eyes – even it is gone from me.

My heart is troubled, my strength hath left me, and the light of my eyes itself is not with me.

11 My dear ones and friends keep aloof, and my neighbours stand afar off.

My friends and my neighbours have drawn near, and stood against me. And they that were near me stood afar off:

12 They who aim at my life lay their snares, they who seek my hurt speak of ruin, nursing treachery all the day long.

And they that sought my soul used violence. And they that sought evils to me spoke vain things, and studied deceits all the day long.

13 But I turn a deaf ear and hear not; like the dumb I open not my mouth.

But I, as a deaf man, heard not: and as a dumb man not opening his mouth.

14 I am like one without hearing, with no arguments in my mouth.

And I became as a man that heareth not: and that hath no reproofs in his mouth.

15 For my hope, O Lord, is in you. You will answer, O Lord my God,

For in thee, O Lord, have I hoped: thou wilt hear me, O Lord my God.

16 when I utter the hope that those who made scorn of my tottering feet may not rejoice over me.

For I said: Lest at any time my enemies rejoice over me: and whilst my feet are moved, they speak great things against me.

17 For I am ready to fall, my pain forsakes me never.

For I am ready for scourges: and my sorrow is continually before me.

18 I acknowledge my guilt, I am anxious because of my sin:

For I will declare my inequity: and I will think for my sin.

19 My wanton assailants are strong, those who wrongfully hate me are many,

But my enemies live, and are stronger that I: and they hate me wrongfully are multiplied.

20 who render me evil for good, and oppose me, because I make good my goal.

They that render evil for good, have detracted me, because I followed goodness.

21 Do not forsake me, O Lord; my God, be not far from me.

Forsake me not, O Lord my God: do not thou depart from me.

22 Hasten to help me, O Lord my saviour.

Attend unto my help, O Lord, the God of my salvation.