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38 A Psalm of David, `To cause to remember.' Jehovah, in Thy wrath reprove me not, Nor in Thy fury chastise me.

For Thine arrows have come down on me, And Thou lettest down upon me Thy hand.

Soundness is not in my flesh, Because of Thine indignation, Peace is not in my bones because of my sin.

For mine iniquities have passed over my head, As a heavy burden -- too heavy for me.

Stunk -- become corrupt have my wounds, Because of my folly.

I have been bent down, I have been bowed down -- unto excess, All the day I have gone mourning.

For my flanks have been full of drought, And soundness is not in my flesh.

I have been feeble and smitten -- unto excess, I have roared from disquietude of heart.

Lord, before Thee [is] all my desire, And my sighing from Thee hath not been hid.

10 My heart [is] panting, my power hath forsaken me, And the light of mine eyes, Even they are not with me.

11 My lovers and my friends over-against my plague stand. And my neighbours afar off have stood.

12 And those seeking my soul lay a snare, And those seeking my evil Have spoken mischievous things, And they do deceits meditate all the day.

13 And I, as deaf, hear not. And as a dumb one who openeth not his mouth.

14 Yea, I am as a man who heareth not, And in his mouth are no reproofs.

15 Because for Thee, O Jehovah, I have waited, Thou dost answer, O Lord my God.

16 When I said, `Lest they rejoice over me, In the slipping of my foot against me they magnified themselves.

17 For I am ready to halt, And my pain [is] before me continually.

18 For mine iniquity I declare, I am sorry for my sin.

19 And mine enemies [are] lively, They have been strong, and those hating me without cause, Have been multiplied.

20 And those paying evil for good accuse me, Because of my pursuing good.

21 Do not forsake me, O Jehovah, My God, be not far from me,

22 Haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!

Psalm 38[a]

A psalm of David. A petition.

Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger
    or discipline me in your wrath.(A)
Your arrows(B) have pierced me,
    and your hand has come down on me.
Because of your wrath there is no health(C) in my body;
    there is no soundness in my bones(D) because of my sin.
My guilt has overwhelmed(E) me
    like a burden too heavy to bear.(F)

My wounds(G) fester and are loathsome(H)
    because of my sinful folly.(I)
I am bowed down(J) and brought very low;
    all day long I go about mourning.(K)
My back is filled with searing pain;(L)
    there is no health(M) in my body.
I am feeble and utterly crushed;(N)
    I groan(O) in anguish of heart.(P)

All my longings(Q) lie open before you, Lord;
    my sighing(R) is not hidden from you.
10 My heart pounds,(S) my strength fails(T) me;
    even the light has gone from my eyes.(U)
11 My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds;(V)
    my neighbors stay far away.
12 Those who want to kill me set their traps,(W)
    those who would harm me talk of my ruin;(X)
    all day long they scheme and lie.(Y)

13 I am like the deaf, who cannot hear,(Z)
    like the mute, who cannot speak;
14 I have become like one who does not hear,
    whose mouth can offer no reply.
15 Lord, I wait(AA) for you;
    you will answer,(AB) Lord my God.
16 For I said, “Do not let them gloat(AC)
    or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.”(AD)

17 For I am about to fall,(AE)
    and my pain(AF) is ever with me.
18 I confess my iniquity;(AG)
    I am troubled by my sin.
19 Many have become my enemies(AH) without cause[b];
    those who hate me(AI) without reason(AJ) are numerous.
20 Those who repay my good with evil(AK)
    lodge accusations(AL) against me,
    though I seek only to do what is good.

21 Lord, do not forsake me;(AM)
    do not be far(AN) from me, my God.
22 Come quickly(AO) to help me,(AP)
    my Lord and my Savior.(AQ)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 38:1 In Hebrew texts 38:1-22 is numbered 38:2-23.
  2. Psalm 38:19 One Dead Sea Scrolls manuscript; Masoretic Text my vigorous enemies