1A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.2For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.3There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.4For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.5My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.6I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.7For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease : and there is no soundness in my flesh.8I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.9Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.10My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.11My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.12They also that seek after my life lay snares for me : and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.13But I, as a deaf man , heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.14Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs.15For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.16For I said, Hear me , lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.17For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me.18For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.19But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.20They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is .21Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.22Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.
Psalm 38
New International Reader’s Version
A psalm of David. A prayer.
1LORD, don’t correct me when you are angry. Don’t punish me when you are burning with anger.2You have wounded me with your arrows. You have struck me with your hand.3Because of your anger, my whole body is ill. Because of my sin, I’m not healthy.4My guilt has become too much for me. It is a load too heavy to carry.5My wounds are ugly. They stink. I’ve been foolish. I have sinned.6I am bent over. I’ve been brought very low. All day long I go around weeping.7My back is filled with burning pain. My whole body is ill.8I am weak and feel as if I’ve been broken in pieces. I groan because of the great pain in my heart.9Lord, everything I really want is clearly known to you. You always hear me when I sigh.10My heart pounds, and my strength is gone. My eyes can hardly see.11My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds. My neighbours stay far away from me.12Those who are trying to kill me set their traps. Those who want to harm me talk about destroying me. All day long they make their plans and tell their lies.13Like a deaf person, I can’t hear. Like someone who can’t speak, I can’t say a word.14I’m like someone who doesn’t hear. I’m like someone whose mouth can’t make any reply.15LORD, I wait for you to help me. Lord my God, I know you will answer.16I said, ‘Don’t let my enemies have the joy of seeing me fall. Don’t let them boast when my feet slip.’17I am about to fall. My pain never leaves me.18I admit that I have done wrong. I am troubled by my sin.19Though I have done nothing to cause it, many people have become my enemies. They hate me without any reason.20They pay me back with evil, even though I was good to them. They bring charges against me, though I try only to do what is good.21LORD, don’t desert me. My God, don’t be far away from me.22Lord my Saviour, come quickly to help me.