Psalms 38

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

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 pierced me, your hand presses hard on me.

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

3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation, neither is there any health 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 gone over my head. As a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.

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

5 My wounds are loathsome and corrupt because of my foolishness.

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

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

I am bent over, doubled up in pain. The whole day I walk around crying my eyes out.

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

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

8 I am faint and severely bruised. I have groaned by reason of the anguish of my 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. My groaning is not hidden from you.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 fall. My pain is continually before me.

For I'm about ready to collapse—the pain never stops.

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

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

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

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

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

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

21 Don’t forsake me, LORD. My God, don’t 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, Lord, my salvation.

Hurry, come and help me, Lord my salvation.