Psalms 38

A psalm of David, for remembrance.

1O Yahweh, do not rebuke me in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath.

2For your arrows have sunk into me, and your hand has come down on me.

3There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no peace in my bones because of my sin.

4For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.

5My wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness.

6I am bent and bowed down very low; all day long I go about mourning.

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

8I am faint and utterly crushed; I roar because of the groaning of my heart.

9Lord, all my desire is before you, and my groaning is not hidden from you.

10My heart reels; my strength has left me, and even the light of my eyes is gone.

11My loved ones and my friends stand back from my affliction, and my close kin stand far away.

12Those who seek my life set traps, and those who seek my harm speak of ruin; all day long they mutter deceit.

13But I, like a deaf man, do not hear; I am like a mute man who does not open his mouth.

14And I became like a man who does not hear and has no answer in his mouth.

15For I wait for you, Yahweh; you will answer, O Lord my God.

16For I said, “May they not rejoice over me; when my foot slips, they boast against me.”

17For I am ready to stumble, and my pain is always before me.

18For I confess my iniquity; I am anxious because of my sin.

19But my enemies are vigorous and strong, and many hate me without cause.

20And those who repay evil for good oppose me in return for my pursuing good.

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

22Hurry to help me, Lord, my salvation.