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A Psalm by David, for a memorial.

38 Yahweh, don’t rebuke me in your wrath,
    neither chasten me in your hot displeasure.
For your arrows have pierced me,
    your hand presses hard on me.
There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation,
    neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin.
For my iniquities have gone over my head.
    As a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.
My wounds are loathsome and corrupt
    because of my foolishness.
I am in pain and bowed down greatly.
    I go mourning all day long.
For my waist is filled with burning.
    There is no soundness in my flesh.
I am faint and severely bruised.
    I have groaned by reason of the anguish of my heart.
Lord, all my desire is before you.
    My groaning is not hidden from you.
10 My heart throbs.
    My strength fails me.
    As for the light of my eyes, it has also left me.
11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my plague.
    My kinsmen stand far away.
12 They also who seek after my life lay snares.
    Those who seek my hurt speak mischievous things,
    and meditate deceits all day long.
13 But I, as a deaf man, don’t hear.
    I am as a mute man who doesn’t open his mouth.
14 Yes, I am as a man who doesn’t hear,
    in whose mouth are no reproofs.
15 For I hope in you, Yahweh.
    You will answer, Lord my God.
16 For I said, “Don’t let them gloat over me,
    or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips.”
17 For I am ready to fall.
    My pain is continually before me.
18 For I will declare my iniquity.
    I will be sorry for my sin.
19 But my enemies are vigorous and many.
    Those who hate me without reason are numerous.
20 They who render evil for good are also adversaries to me,
    because I follow what is good.
21 Don’t forsake me, Yahweh.
    My God, don’t be far from me.
22 Hurry to help me,
    Lord, my salvation.

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!
For your (C)arrows have sunk into me,
    and your hand (D)has come down on me.

There is (E)no soundness in my flesh
    because of your indignation;
there is no health in my (F)bones
    because of my sin.
For my (G)iniquities have gone over my head;
    like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.

My wounds stink and fester
    because of my foolishness,
I am (H)utterly bowed down and (I)prostrate;
    all the day I (J)go about mourning.
For my sides are filled with burning,
    and there is (K)no soundness in my flesh.
I am feeble and crushed;
    I (L)groan because of the tumult of my heart.

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!