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Psalm 38-40
English Standard Version
Psalm 38-40
English Standard Version
Do Not Forsake Me, O Lord
A Psalm of David, (A)for the memorial offering.
38 O Lord, (B)rebuke me not in your anger,
nor discipline me in your wrath!
2 For your (C)arrows have sunk into me,
and your hand (D)has come down on me.
3 There is (E)no soundness in my flesh
because of your indignation;
there is no health in my (F)bones
because of my sin.
4 For my (G)iniquities have gone over my head;
like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.
5 My wounds stink and fester
because of my foolishness,
6 I am (H)utterly bowed down and (I)prostrate;
all the day I (J)go about mourning.
7 For my sides are filled with burning,
and there is (K)no soundness in my flesh.
8 I am feeble and crushed;
I (L)groan because of the tumult of my heart.
9 O Lord, all my longing is before you;
my (M)sighing is not hidden from you.
10 My heart throbs; my strength fails me,
and (N)the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me.
11 My (O)friends and companions (P)stand aloof from my (Q)plague,
and my nearest kin (R)stand far off.
12 Those who seek my life (S)lay their snares;
those who seek my hurt (T)speak of ruin
and meditate (U)treachery all day long.
13 But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear,
like (V)a mute man who does not open his mouth.
14 I have become like a man who does not hear,
and in whose mouth are no (W)rebukes.
15 But for (X)you, O Lord, do I wait;
it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.
16 For I said, “Only (Y)let them not rejoice over me,
who (Z)boast against me when my (AA)foot slips!”
17 For I am (AB)ready to fall,
and my pain is ever before me.
18 I (AC)confess my iniquity;
I am (AD)sorry for my sin.
19 But my foes are vigorous, they are mighty,
and many are those who hate me (AE)wrongfully.
20 Those who (AF)render me evil for good
(AG)accuse me because I (AH)follow after good.
21 Do not forsake me, O Lord!
O my God, be not (AI)far from me!
22 (AJ)Make haste to help me,
O Lord, my (AK)salvation!
What Is the Measure of My Days?
To the choirmaster: to (AL)Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
39 I said, “I will (AM)guard my ways,
that I (AN)may not sin with my tongue;
I will (AO)guard my mouth with a muzzle,
so long as the wicked are in my presence.”
2 I was (AP)mute and silent;
I held my peace to no avail,
and my distress grew worse.
3 My (AQ)heart became hot within me.
As I mused, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:
4 “O Lord, (AR)make me know my end
and what is the measure of my days;
let me know how fleeting I am!
5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,
and (AS)my lifetime is as nothing before you.
Surely (AT)all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah
6 Surely a man (AU)goes about as a shadow!
Surely for nothing[a] they are in turmoil;
man (AV)heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!
7 “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?
(AW)My hope is in you.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions.
(AX)Do not make me the scorn of the fool!
9 (AY)I am mute; I do not open my mouth,
(AZ)for it is you who have done it.
10 (BA)Remove your stroke from me;
I am spent by the hostility of your hand.
11 When you discipline a man
with (BB)rebukes for sin,
you (BC)consume like a (BD)moth what is dear to him;
(BE)surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah
12 (BF)“Hear my prayer, O Lord,
and give ear to my cry;
hold not your peace at my tears!
For I am (BG)a sojourner with you,
(BH)a guest, like all my fathers.
13 (BI)Look away from me, that I may smile again,
(BJ)before I depart and (BK)am no more!”
My Help and My Deliverer
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
40 I (BL)waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and (BM)heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from (BN)the pit of destruction,
out of (BO)the miry bog,
and (BP)set my feet upon a rock,
(BQ)making my steps secure.
3 He put (BR)a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will (BS)see and fear,
and put their trust in the Lord.
4 Blessed is the man who (BT)makes
the Lord his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
to those who (BU)go astray after a lie!
5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your (BV)wondrous deeds and your (BW)thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
yet they are (BX)more than can be told.
6 (BY)In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,
but you have given me an open (BZ)ear.[b]
Burnt offering and sin offering
you have not required.
7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come;
in the scroll of the book it is written (CA)of me:
8 (CB)I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is (CC)within my heart.”
9 I have told the glad news of deliverance[c]
in (CD)the great congregation;
behold, I have not (CE)restrained my lips,
(CF)as you know, O Lord.
10 I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
from the great congregation.
11 As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain
your mercy from me;
your (CG)steadfast love and your faithfulness will
ever preserve me!
12 For evils have (CH)encompassed me
beyond number;
my (CI)iniquities have overtaken me,
and I cannot (CJ)see;
they are (CK)more than the hairs of my head;
my heart (CL)fails me.
13 (CM)Be pleased, O Lord, to (CN)deliver me!
O Lord, (CO)make haste to help me!
14 (CP)Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether
who seek to snatch away my life;
let those be (CQ)turned back and brought to dishonor
who delight in my hurt!
15 Let those be appalled because of their shame
who (CR)say to me, “Aha, Aha!”
16 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation
(CS)say continually, “Great is the Lord!”
17 As for me, I am (CT)poor and needy,
but (CU)the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
do not delay, O my God!
Footnotes
- Psalm 39:6 Hebrew Surely as a breath
- Psalm 40:6 Hebrew ears you have dug for me
- Psalm 40:9 Hebrew righteousness; also verse 10
Psalm 38-40
New International Version
Psalm 38-40
New International Version
Psalm 38[a]
A psalm of David. A petition.
1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger
or discipline me in your wrath.(A)
2 Your arrows(B) have pierced me,
and your hand has come down on me.
3 Because of your wrath there is no health(C) in my body;
there is no soundness in my bones(D) because of my sin.
4 My guilt has overwhelmed(E) me
like a burden too heavy to bear.(F)
5 My wounds(G) fester and are loathsome(H)
because of my sinful folly.(I)
6 I am bowed down(J) and brought very low;
all day long I go about mourning.(K)
7 My back is filled with searing pain;(L)
there is no health(M) in my body.
8 I am feeble and utterly crushed;(N)
I groan(O) in anguish of heart.(P)
9 All my longings(Q) lie open before you, Lord;
my sighing(R) is not hidden from you.
10 My heart pounds,(S) my strength fails(T) me;
even the light has gone from my eyes.(U)
11 My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds;(V)
my neighbors stay far away.
12 Those who want to kill me set their traps,(W)
those who would harm me talk of my ruin;(X)
all day long they scheme and lie.(Y)
13 I am like the deaf, who cannot hear,(Z)
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(AA) for you;
you will answer,(AB) Lord my God.
16 For I said, “Do not let them gloat(AC)
or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.”(AD)
17 For I am about to fall,(AE)
and my pain(AF) is ever with me.
18 I confess my iniquity;(AG)
I am troubled by my sin.
19 Many have become my enemies(AH) without cause[b];
those who hate me(AI) without reason(AJ) are numerous.
20 Those who repay my good with evil(AK)
lodge accusations(AL) against me,
though I seek only to do what is good.
21 Lord, do not forsake me;(AM)
do not be far(AN) from me, my God.
22 Come quickly(AO) to help me,(AP)
my Lord and my Savior.(AQ)
Psalm 39[c]
For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.
1 I said, “I will watch my ways(AR)
and keep my tongue from sin;(AS)
I will put a muzzle on my mouth(AT)
while in the presence of the wicked.”
2 So I remained utterly silent,(AU)
not even saying anything good.
But my anguish(AV) increased;
3 my heart grew hot(AW) within me.
While I meditated,(AX) the fire(AY) burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:
4 “Show me, Lord, my life’s end
and the number of my days;(AZ)
let me know how fleeting(BA) my life is.(BB)
5 You have made my days(BC) a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,(BD)
even those who seem secure.[d]
6 “Surely everyone goes around(BE) like a mere phantom;(BF)
in vain they rush about,(BG) heaping up wealth(BH)
without knowing whose it will finally be.(BI)
7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.(BJ)
8 Save me(BK) from all my transgressions;(BL)
do not make me the scorn(BM) of fools.
9 I was silent;(BN) I would not open my mouth,(BO)
for you are the one who has done this.(BP)
10 Remove your scourge from me;
I am overcome by the blow(BQ) of your hand.(BR)
11 When you rebuke(BS) and discipline(BT) anyone for their sin,
you consume(BU) their wealth like a moth(BV)—
surely everyone is but a breath.(BW)
12 “Hear my prayer, Lord,
listen to my cry for help;(BX)
do not be deaf(BY) to my weeping.(BZ)
I dwell with you as a foreigner,(CA)
a stranger,(CB) as all my ancestors were.(CC)
13 Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again
before I depart and am no more.”(CD)
Psalm 40[e](CE)
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
1 I waited patiently(CF) for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.(CG)
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,(CH)
out of the mud(CI) and mire;(CJ)
he set my feet(CK) on a rock(CL)
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song(CM) in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord(CN)
and put their trust(CO) in him.
4 Blessed is the one(CP)
who trusts in the Lord,(CQ)
who does not look to the proud,(CR)
to those who turn aside to false gods.[f](CS)
5 Many, Lord my God,
are the wonders(CT) you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare(CU) with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many(CV) to declare.
6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—(CW)
but my ears you have opened[g]—(CX)
burnt offerings(CY) and sin offerings[h] you did not require.
7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll.[i](CZ)
8 I desire to do your will,(DA) my God;(DB)
your law is within my heart.”(DC)
9 I proclaim your saving acts(DD) in the great assembly;(DE)
I do not seal my lips, Lord,
as you know.(DF)
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness(DG) and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
from the great assembly.(DH)
11 Do not withhold your mercy(DI) from me, Lord;
may your love(DJ) and faithfulness(DK) always protect(DL) me.
12 For troubles(DM) without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.(DN)
They are more than the hairs of my head,(DO)
and my heart fails(DP) within me.
13 Be pleased to save me, Lord;
come quickly, Lord, to help me.(DQ)
14 May all who want to take my life(DR)
be put to shame and confusion;(DS)
may all who desire my ruin(DT)
be turned back in disgrace.
15 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”(DU)
be appalled at their own shame.
16 But may all who seek you(DV)
rejoice and be glad(DW) in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
“The Lord is great!”(DX)
Footnotes
- Psalm 38:1 In Hebrew texts 38:1-22 is numbered 38:2-23.
- Psalm 38:19 One Dead Sea Scrolls manuscript; Masoretic Text my vigorous enemies
- Psalm 39:1 In Hebrew texts 39:1-13 is numbered 39:2-14.
- Psalm 39:5 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 11.
- Psalm 40:1 In Hebrew texts 40:1-17 is numbered 40:2-18.
- Psalm 40:4 Or to lies
- Psalm 40:6 Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts but a body you have prepared for me
- Psalm 40:6 Or purification offerings
- Psalm 40:7 Or come / with the scroll written for me
Acts 23:12-35
English Standard Version
Acts 23:12-35
English Standard Version
A Plot to Kill Paul
12 When it was day, (A)the Jews made a plot and (B)bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. 14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul. 15 Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”
16 Now the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered (C)the barracks and told Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, “Paul (D)the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you.” 19 The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?” 20 And he said, (E)“The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him. 21 But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who (F)have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent.” 22 So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.”
Paul Sent to Felix the Governor
23 Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night.[a] 24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to (G)Felix (H)the governor.” 25 And he wrote a letter to this effect:
26 “Claudius Lysias, to (I)his Excellency the governor Felix, (J)greetings. 27 (K)This man was seized by the Jews and (L)was about to be killed by them (M)when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, (N)having learned that he was a Roman citizen. 28 And (O)desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council. 29 I found that he was being accused (P)about questions of their law, but (Q)charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. 30 (R)And when it was disclosed to me (S)that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, (T)ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.”
31 So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 And on the next day they returned to (U)the barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him. 33 When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. 34 On reading the letter, he asked what (V)province he was from. And when he learned (W)that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing (X)when your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod's (Y)praetorium.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Acts 23:23 That is, 9 p.m.
Acts 23:12-35
New International Version
Acts 23:12-35
New International Version
The Plot to Kill Paul
12 The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy(A) and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.(B) 13 More than forty men were involved in this plot. 14 They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.(C) 15 Now then, you and the Sanhedrin(D) petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here.”
16 But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks(E) and told Paul.
17 Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him to the commander.
The centurion said, “Paul, the prisoner,(F) sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.”
19 The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?”
20 He said: “Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin(G) tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him.(H) 21 Don’t give in to them, because more than forty(I) of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him.(J) They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request.”
22 The commander dismissed the young man with this warning: “Don’t tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”
Paul Transferred to Caesarea
23 Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen[a] to go to Caesarea(K) at nine tonight.(L) 24 Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.”(M)
25 He wrote a letter as follows:
26 Claudius Lysias,
To His Excellency,(N) Governor Felix:
Greetings.(O)
27 This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him,(P) but I came with my troops and rescued him,(Q) for I had learned that he is a Roman citizen.(R) 28 I wanted to know why they were accusing him, so I brought him to their Sanhedrin.(S) 29 I found that the accusation had to do with questions about their law,(T) but there was no charge against him(U) that deserved death or imprisonment. 30 When I was informed(V) of a plot(W) to be carried out against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also ordered his accusers(X) to present to you their case against him.
31 So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul with them during the night and brought him as far as Antipatris. 32 The next day they let the cavalry(Y) go on with him, while they returned to the barracks.(Z) 33 When the cavalry(AA) arrived in Caesarea,(AB) they delivered the letter to the governor(AC) and handed Paul over to him. 34 The governor read the letter and asked what province he was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia,(AD) 35 he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers(AE) get here.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard(AF) in Herod’s palace.
Footnotes
- Acts 23:23 The meaning of the Greek for this word is uncertain.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
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