Psalm 38

Revised Standard Version

³ There is no soundness in my flesh
    because of thy indignation;
there is no health in my bones
    because of my sin.
⁴ For my iniquities have gone over my head;
    they weigh like a burden too heavy for me.

⁵ My wounds grow foul and fester
    because of my foolishness,
⁶ I am utterly bowed down and prostrate;
    all the day I go about mourning.
⁷ For my loins are filled with burning,
    and there is no soundness in my flesh.
⁸ I am utterly spent and crushed;
    I groan because of the tumult of my heart.

⁹ Lord, all my longing is known to thee,
    my sighing is not hidden from thee.
¹⁰ My heart throbs, my strength fails me;
    and the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me.
¹¹ My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague,
    and my kinsmen stand afar off.

¹² Those who seek my life lay their snares,
    those who seek my hurt speak of ruin,
    and meditate treachery all the day long.

¹³ But I am like a deaf man, I do not hear,
    like a dumb man who does not open his mouth.
¹⁴ Yea, I am like a man who does not hear,
    and in whose mouth are no rebukes.

¹⁵ But for thee, O Lord, do I wait;
    it is thou, O Lord my God, who wilt answer.
¹⁶ For I pray, “Only let them not rejoice over me,
    who boast against me when my foot slips!”

¹⁷ For I am ready to fall,
    and my pain is ever with me.
¹⁸ I confess my iniquity,
    I am sorry for my sin.
¹⁹ Those who are my foes without cause^[a] are mighty,
    and many are those who hate me wrongfully.
²⁰ Those who render me evil for good
    are my adversaries because I follow after good.

²¹ Do not forsake me, O Lord!
    O my God, be not far from me!
²² Make haste to help me,
    O Lord, my salvation!