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A psalm of David. A prayer.

38 Lord, don’t correct me when you are angry.
    Don’t punish me when you are burning with anger.
You have wounded me with your arrows.
    You have struck me with your hand.
Because of your anger, my whole body is sick.
    Because of my sin, I’m not healthy.
My guilt has become too much for me.
    It is a load too heavy to carry.

My wounds are ugly. They stink.
    I’ve been foolish. I have sinned.
I am bent over. I’ve been brought very low.
    All day long I go around weeping.
My back is filled with burning pain.
    My whole body is sick.
I am weak and feel as if I’ve been broken in pieces.
    I groan because of the great pain in my heart.

Lord, everything I really want is clearly known to you.
    You always hear me when I sigh.
10 My heart pounds, and my strength is gone.
    My eyes can hardly see.
11 My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds.
    My neighbors stay far away from me.
12 Those who are trying to kill me set their traps.
    Those who want to harm me talk about destroying me.
    All day long they make their plans and tell their lies.

13 Like a deaf person, I can’t hear.
    Like someone who can’t speak, I can’t say a word.
14 I’m like someone who doesn’t hear.
    I’m like someone whose mouth can’t make any reply.
15 Lord, I wait for you to help me.
    Lord my God, I know you will answer.
16 I said, “Don’t let my enemies have the joy of seeing me fall.
    Don’t let them brag when my feet slip.”

17 I am about to fall.
    My pain never leaves me.
18 I admit that I have done wrong.
    I am troubled by my sin.
19 Though I have done nothing to cause it, many people have become my enemies.
    They hate me without any reason.
20 They pay me back with evil, even though I was good to them.
    They bring charges against me, though I try only to do what is good.

21 Lord, don’t desert me.
    My God, don’t be far away from me.
22 Lord my Savior,
    come quickly to help me.

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