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A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.

38 Jehovah, rebuke me not in thy wrath; neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand cometh down upon me.

There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine indignation; no peace in my bones, because of my sin.

For mine iniquities are gone over my head: as a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.

My wounds stink, they are corrupt, because of my foolishness.

I am depressed; I am bowed down beyond measure; I go mourning all the day.

For my loins are full of burning, and there is no soundness in my flesh.

I am faint and broken beyond measure; I roar by reason of the agitation of my heart.

Lord, all my desire is before thee, and my sighing is not hid from thee.

10 My heart throbbeth, my strength hath left me; and the light of mine eyes, it also is no more with me.

11 My lovers and mine associates stand aloof from my stroke; and my kinsmen stand afar off.

12 And they that seek after my life lay snares [for me]; and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and meditate deceits all the day long.

13 But I, as a deaf [man], hear not; and am as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.

14 Yea, I am as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs.

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

16 For I said, Let them not rejoice over me! When my foot slipped, they magnified [themselves] against me.

17 For I am ready to halt, and my pain is continually before me.

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

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

20 And they that render evil for good are adversaries unto me; because I pursue what is good.

21 Forsake me not, Jehovah; O my God, be not far from me.

22 Make 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