Psalms Chapter 38
A Psalm of David
for a Memorial
1 LORD, don’t rebuke me in your wrath
or discipline me in your furious anger.
2 Your arrows have pierced deep into me;
your hand has come down hard on me.
3 Because of your indignation, my body’s not sound;
by my sin I’ve ruined my health.
4 My iniquities have piled up higher than my head
and weighed me down.
5 My wounds have festered and grown foul.
My foolish choices 6 have doubled me over;
I grieve all the time;
7I’m burning up with fever;
my health is broken.
8I’m numb and crushed,
and groan from inner conflict.
Ps 38:1-8
9 Lord, you know what I long for;
you hear my sighs.
10 My heart’s pounding, my strength’s failing;
the sparkle in my eyes is gone.
11 My friends and loved ones stand back from my sickness;
my relatives stay well away from me.
12 Those who want to kill me lay snares for me;
the ones that want to injure me threaten destruction,
constantly plotting treachery.
Ps 38:9-12
13 But like someone deaf, I don’t hear;
like a mute I don’t speak.
14 Yes, I’m like somebody that can’t hear,
someone with no arguments to offer.
15 I’m depending on you, LORD;
you’ll have to answer for me.
16 Don’t let them celebrate over me
or gloat when my foot slips.
17 I’m ready to fall;
my sorrow continually looms in front of me.
18 I’m confessing my iniquity;
I’m anxious about my sin.
19 But my enemies are vigorous and strong;
they hate me for no reason
20and repay bad for good
because I follow after what’s good.
21 Don’t leave me, LORD;
stay close by!
22 Hurry and help me, Lord my savior!
Ps 38:13-22