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Psalm 38

A Psalm of David; to bring to remembrance and make memorial.

O Lord, rebuke me not in Your wrath, neither chasten me in Your hot displeasure.

For Your arrows have sunk into me and stick fast, and Your hand has come down upon me and pressed me sorely.

There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your indignation; neither is there any health or rest in my bones because of my sin.

For my iniquities have gone over my head [like waves of a flood]; as a heavy burden they weigh too much for me.

My wounds are loathsome and corrupt because of my foolishness.

I am bent and bowed down greatly; I go about mourning all the day long.

For my loins are filled with burning; and there is no soundness in my flesh.

I am faint and sorely bruised [deadly cold and quite worn out]; I groan by reason of the disquiet and moaning of my heart.

Lord, all my desire is before You; and my sighing is not hidden from You.

10 My heart throbs, my strength fails me; as for the light of my eyes, it also is gone from me.

11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my plague; and my neighbors and my near ones stand afar off.(A)

12 They also that seek and demand my life lay snares for me, and they that seek and require my hurt speak crafty and mischievous things; they meditate treachery and deceit all the day long.

13 But I, like a deaf man, hear not; and I am like a dumb man who opens not his mouth.

14 Yes, I have become like a man who hears not, in whose mouth are no arguments or replies.

15 For in You, O Lord, do I hope; You will answer, O Lord my God.

16 For I pray, Let them not rejoice over me, who when my foot slips boast against me.

17 For I am ready to halt and fall; my pain and sorrow are continually before me.

18 For I do confess my guilt and iniquity; I am filled with sorrow for my sin.(B)

19 But my enemies are vigorous and strong, and those who hate me wrongfully are multiplied.

20 They also that render evil for good are adversaries to me, because I follow the thing that is good.

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

22 Make haste to help me, O Lord, my Salvation.

Psalm 38

A psalm of David, asking God to remember him.

O Lord, don’t rebuke me in your anger
    or discipline me in your rage!
Your arrows have struck deep,
    and your blows are crushing me.
Because of your anger, my whole body is sick;
    my health is broken because of my sins.
My guilt overwhelms me—
    it is a burden too heavy to bear.
My wounds fester and stink
    because of my foolish sins.
I am bent over and racked with pain.
    All day long I walk around filled with grief.
A raging fever burns within me,
    and my health is broken.
I am exhausted and completely crushed.
    My groans come from an anguished heart.

You know what I long for, Lord;
    you hear my every sigh.
10 My heart beats wildly, my strength fails,
    and I am going blind.
11 My loved ones and friends stay away, fearing my disease.
    Even my own family stands at a distance.
12 Meanwhile, my enemies lay traps to kill me.
    Those who wish me harm make plans to ruin me.
    All day long they plan their treachery.

13 But I am deaf to all their threats.
    I am silent before them as one who cannot speak.
14 I choose to hear nothing,
    and I make no reply.
15 For I am waiting for you, O Lord.
    You must answer for me, O Lord my God.
16 I prayed, “Don’t let my enemies gloat over me
    or rejoice at my downfall.”

17 I am on the verge of collapse,
    facing constant pain.
18 But I confess my sins;
    I am deeply sorry for what I have done.
19 I have many aggressive enemies;
    they hate me without reason.
20 They repay me evil for good
    and oppose me for pursuing good.
21 Do not abandon me, O Lord.
    Do not stand at a distance, my God.
22 Come quickly to help me,
    O Lord my savior.