Psalm, 38

A melody of David, to serve as a reminder.^*1

¹ O Jehovah, do not reprove me in your anger, Nor correct me in your wrath.

² For your arrows have pierced deep into me, And your hand presses down on me.

³ My whole body is sick^*1 because of your indignation. There is no peace within my bones because of my sin.

⁴ For my errors loom over my head; Like a heavy burden, they are too much for me to bear.

⁵ My wounds stink and fester Because of my foolishness.

⁶ I am distressed and extremely downcast; I walk around sad all day long.

⁷ There is a burning within me;^*1 My whole body is sick.

⁸ I have grown numb and become completely crushed; My anguished heart makes me groan aloud.^*1

⁹ O Jehovah, all my desires are before you, And my sighing is not hidden from you.

¹⁰ My heart pounds, my strength is gone, And the light of my eyes has left me.

¹¹ My friends and my companions avoid me because of my plague, And my close acquaintances keep their distance.

¹² Those seeking my life^*1 set traps; Those trying to harm me speak of ruin; They mutter deception all day long.

¹³ But like someone deaf, I would not listen; Like someone speechless, I would not open my mouth.

¹⁴ I have become like a man who cannot hear, Whose mouth has nothing to say in defense.

¹⁵ For on you, O Jehovah, I waited, And you answered me, O Jehovah my God.

¹⁶ For I said: “May they not gloat over me Or exalt themselves over me if my foot slips.”

¹⁷ For I was ready to collapse, And my pain was always with me.

¹⁸ I confessed my error; I was troubled by my sin.

¹⁹ But my enemies are vigorous^*1 and mighty,^*2 Those hating me for no reason have become numerous.

²⁰ They repaid me with bad for good; They were resisting me for pursuing what is good.

²¹ Do not abandon me, O Jehovah. O God, do not remain far away from me.

²² Do hurry to help me, O Jehovah, my salvation.