Psalms 38

1 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!

A Psalm of David, in commemoration of the Sabbath. O Lord, do not rebuke me in your fury, nor chastise me in your wrath.

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

For your arrows have been driven into me, and your hand has been confirmed over me.

3 Because you're so upset with me, not a single part of my body is healthy; I am completely sick because of my sins.

There is no health in my flesh before the face of your wrath. There is no peace for my bones before the face of my sins.

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

For my iniquities have walked over my head, and they have been like a heavy burden weighing upon me.

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

My sores have putrefied and been corrupted before the face of my foolishness.

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

I have become miserable, and I have been bent down, even to the end. I have walked with contrition all day long.

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

For my loins have been filled with illusions, and there is no health in my flesh.

8 I'm worn out, totally down. I groan because of the anguish I feel in my heart.

I have been afflicted and greatly humbled. I bellowed from the groaning of my heart.

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

O Lord, all my desire is before you, and my groaning before you has not been hidden.

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

My heart has been disturbed. My strength has abandoned me, and the light of my eyes has abandoned me, and it is not with me.

11 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.

My friends and my neighbors have drawn near and stood against me. And those who were next to me stood far apart. And those who sought my soul used violence.

12 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.

And those who sought evil accusations against me were speaking emptiness. And they practiced deceitfulness all day long.

13 I act as if I'm deaf to what they're saying, and pretend to be dumb so I don't have to speak.

But, like someone deaf, I did not hear. And I was like someone mute, not opening his mouth.

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

And I became like a man who does not hear, and who has no reproofs in his mouth.

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

For in you, Lord, I have hoped. You will listen to me, O Lord my God.

16 I'm asking you, Lord, please don't let my enemies gloat over me, don't let them be glad when I trip up.

For I said, “Lest at any time, my enemies might rejoice over me,” and, “While my feet are being shaken, they have spoken great things against me.”

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

For I have been prepared for scourges, and my sorrow is ever before me.

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

For I will announce my iniquity, and I will think about my sin.

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

But my enemies live, and they have been stronger than me. And those who have wrongfully hated me have been multiplied.

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

Those who render evil for good have dragged me down, because I followed goodness.

21 Don't give up on me, my Lord and my God, don't stay away from me.

Do not forsake me, O Lord my God. Do not depart from me.

22 Hurry, come and help me, Lord my salvation.

Be attentive to my help, O Lord, the God of my salvation.