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A Psalm by David, for a memorial.

38 Yahweh, don’t rebuke me in your wrath,
    neither chasten me in your hot displeasure.
For your arrows have pierced me,
    your hand presses hard on me.
There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation,
    neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin.
For my iniquities have gone over my head.
    As a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.
My wounds are loathsome and corrupt
    because of my foolishness.
I am in pain and bowed down greatly.
    I go mourning all day long.
For my waist is filled with burning.
    There is no soundness in my flesh.
I am faint and severely bruised.
    I have groaned by reason of the anguish of my heart.
Lord, all my desire is before you.
    My groaning is not hidden from you.
10 My heart throbs.
    My strength fails me.
    As for the light of my eyes, it has also left me.
11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my plague.
    My kinsmen stand far away.
12 They also who seek after my life lay snares.
    Those who seek my hurt speak mischievous things,
    and meditate deceits all day long.
13 But I, as a deaf man, don’t hear.
    I am as a mute man who doesn’t open his mouth.
14 Yes, I am as a man who doesn’t hear,
    in whose mouth are no reproofs.
15 For I hope in you, Yahweh.
    You will answer, Lord my God.
16 For I said, “Don’t let them gloat over me,
    or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips.”
17 For I am ready to fall.
    My pain is continually before me.
18 For I will declare my iniquity.
    I will be sorry for my sin.
19 But my enemies are vigorous and many.
    Those who hate me without reason are numerous.
20 They who render evil for good are also adversaries to me,
    because I follow what is good.
21 Don’t forsake me, Yahweh.
    My God, don’t be far from me.
22 Hurry to help me,
    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