Psalms 38

Psalm 38

A psalm of David. A petition.

1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger
    or discipline me in your wrath.Your arrows have pierced me,
    and your hand has come down on me.
3 Because of your wrath there is no health in my body;
    there is no soundness in my bonesMy guilt has overwhelmed me
    like a burden too heavy to bear.My wounds fester and are loathsome
    because of my sinful folly.I am bowed down and brought very low;
    all day long I go about mourning.My back is filled with searing pain;
    there is no healthI am feeble and utterly crushed;
    I groan in anguish of heart.All my longings lie open before you, Lord;
    my sighingMy heart pounds, my strength fails me;
    even the light has gone from my eyes.My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds;
    my neighbors stay far away.
12 Those who want to kill me set their traps,
    those who would harm me talk of my ruin;
    all day long they scheme and lie.I am like the deaf, who cannot hear,
    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 for you;
    you will answer,For I said, “Do not let them gloat
    or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.”

17 For I am about to fall,
    and my painI confess my iniquity;
    I am troubled by my sin.
19 Many have become my enemies without cause;
    those who hate me without reasonThose who repay my good with evil
    lodge accusations against me,
    though I seek only to do what is good.

21 Lord, do not forsake me;
    do not be farCome quickly to help me,
    my Lord and my Savior.

(1)(38:1) In Hebrew texts 38:1-22 is numbered 38:2-23.
(2)(38:19) One Dead Sea Scrolls manuscript; Masoretic Text my vigorous enemies