Psalms 38
1 A psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. Yahweh, do not rebuke me in your anger; do not punish me in your wrath.
A Psalm of David. A lament. Reprove me not, Lord, in your anger, and chasten me not in your wrath;
2 For your arrows pierce me, and your hand presses me down.
for your arrows have sunk into me, and your hand lies heavy upon me.
3 My whole body is sick because of your anger; there is no health in my bones because of my sin.
In my flesh is no soundness because of your anger, no health in my bones, because of my sin.
4 For my iniquities overwhelm me; they are a burden too heavy for me.
For that my guilt is gone over my head: it weighs like a burden too heavy for me.
5 My wounds are infected and smell because of my foolish sins.
My wounds stink and fester, for my foolishness I am tormented.
6 I am stooped over and humiliated every day; I go about mourning all day long.
Bent and bowed am I utterly, all the day going in mourning.
7 For within me, I am filled with burning; there is no health in my flesh.
My loins are filled with burning, and in my flesh is no soundness.
8 I am numb and utterly crushed; I groan because of the anguish of my heart.
I am utterly crushed and numb; I cry louder than lion roars.
9 Lord, you understand my heart's deepest yearnings, and my groanings are not hidden from you.
Lord, you know all that I long for, my groans are not hidden from you.
10 My heart pounds, my strength fades, and my eyesight dims.
My heart is throbbing, my strength has failed me. The light of my eyes – even it is gone from me.
11 My friends and companions shun me because of my condition; my neighbors stand far off.
My dear ones and friends keep aloof, and my neighbours stand afar off.
12 Those who seek my life lay snares for me. They who seek my harm speak destructive words and say deceitful words all day long.
They who aim at my life lay their snares, they who seek my hurt speak of ruin, nursing treachery all the day long.
13 But I, I am like a deaf man and hear nothing; I am like a mute man who says nothing.
But I turn a deaf ear and hear not; like the dumb I open not my mouth.
14 I am like a man who does not hear and who has no reply.
I am like one without hearing, with no arguments in my mouth.
15 Surely I wait for you, Yahweh; you will answer, Lord my God.
For my hope, O Lord, is in you. You will answer, O Lord my God,
16 I say this so that my enemies will not gloat over me. If my foot slips, they will do terrible things to me.
when I utter the hope that those who made scorn of my tottering feet may not rejoice over me.
17 For I am about to stumble, and I am in constant pain.
For I am ready to fall, my pain forsakes me never.
18 I confess my guilt; I am concerned about my sin.
I acknowledge my guilt, I am anxious because of my sin:
19 But my enemies are numerous; those who hate me wrongfully are many.
My wanton assailants are strong, those who wrongfully hate me are many,
20 They repay me evil for good; they hurl accusations at me although I have pursued what is good.
who render me evil for good, and oppose me, because I make good my goal.
21 Do not abandon me, Yahweh; my God, do not stay far away from me.
Do not forsake me, O Lord; my God, be not far from me.
22 Come quickly to help me, Lord, my salvation.
Hasten to help me, O Lord my saviour.
