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 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 sunk into me, and your hand lies heavy upon me.

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

3 In my flesh is no soundness because of your anger, no health 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 that my guilt is gone over my head: it weighs like a burden too heavy for me.

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

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

My wounds are loathsome and corrupt because of my foolishness.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

They also who seek after my life lay snares. Those who seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and meditate deceits all 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, don’t hear. I am as a mute man who doesn’t open his mouth.

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

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

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

For I hope in you, LORD. You will answer, 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, “Don’t let them gloat over me, or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

22 Hasten to help me, O Lord my saviour.

Hurry to help me, Lord, my salvation.