Psalms 38

1 A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy 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 thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.

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

3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine 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 mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.

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

5 My wounds stink and are corrupt, because of my foolishness.

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

6 I am pained and bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.

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

7 For my loins are filled with burning; and 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 sore bruised: I have roared by reason of the disquietness 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 thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.

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

10 My heart throbbeth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from 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; and my kinsmen stand afar off.

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 that seek after my life lay snares [for me]; and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the 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, hear not; and I am as a dumb man that openeth not 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 Yea, I am as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs.

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

15 For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt answer, O Lord my God.

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

16 For I said, Lest they rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.

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 halt, and my sorrow is continually before me.

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

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

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

19 But mine enemies are lively, [and] are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.

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

20 They also that render evil for good are adversaries unto me, because I follow the thing that is good.

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

21 Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.

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

22 Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.

Hurry, come and help me, Lord my salvation.