Psalm 38

1 O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your wrath,

Prayer in Time of ChasteningA Psalm of David. To Bring to Remembrance. Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure!

2 For Your arrows pierce me deeply, And Your hand presses me down.3  There is no soundness in my flesh Because of Your anger, Nor any health in my bones Because of my sin.4 For my iniquities have gone over my head; Like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.5 My wounds are foul and festering Because of my foolishness.6 I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.7 For my loins are full of inflammation, And there is no soundness in my flesh.8 I am feeble and severely broken; I groan because of the turmoil of my heart.9 Lord, all my desire is before You; And my sighing is not hidden from You.10 My heart pants, my strength fails me; As for the light of my eyes, it also has gone from me.11 My loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague, And my relatives stand afar off.12 Those also who seek my life lay snares for me; Those who seek my hurt speak of destruction, And plan deception all the day long.13 But I, like a deaf man, do not hear; And I am like a mute who does not open his mouth.14 Thus I am like a man who does not hear, And in whose mouth is no response.15 For in You, O Lord, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God.16 For I said, Hear me, lest they rejoice over me, Lest, when my foot slips, they exalt themselves against me.17 For I am ready to fall, And my sorrow is continually before me.18 For I will declare my iniquity; I will be in anguish over my sin.19 But my enemies are vigorous, and they are strong; And those who hate me wrongfully have multiplied.20 Those also who render evil for good, They are my adversaries, because I follow what is 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!

PSALMS 38

A Prayer in Times //of Trouble

1 When you are angry, [Lord],
please don't punish me
or even correct me.

2 You shot me with your arrows,
and you struck me
with your hand.

3 My body hurts all over
because of your anger.
Even my bones are in pain,
and my sins

4 are so heavy
that I am crushed.

5 Because of my foolishness,
I am covered with sores
that stink and spread.

6 My body is twisted and bent,
and I groan all day long.

7 Fever has my back in flames,
and I hurt everywhere.

8 I am worn out and weak,
moaning and in distress.

9 You, Lord, know every one
of my deepest desires,
and my noisy groans
are no secret to you.

10 My heart is beating fast.
I feel weak all over,
and my eyes are red.

11 Because of my sickness,
no friends or neighbors
will come near me.

12 All who want me dead
set traps to catch me,
and those who want
to harm and destroy me
plan and plot all day.

13 I am not able to hear
or speak a word;

14 I am completely deaf
and can't make a sound.

15 I trust you, [Lord] God,
and you will do something.

16 I said, “Don't let them laugh
or brag when I slip and fall.”

17 I am about to collapse
from constant pain.

18 I told you my sins,
and I am sorry for them.

19 Many deadly and powerful
enemies hate me,

20 and they repay evil for good
because I try to do right.

21 You are the [Lord] God!
Stay nearby
and don't desert me.

22 You are the one who saves me.
Please hurry and help.