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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.

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.