Psalm 38

1. (0) A psalm of David, serving as a reminder:

2. (1) Adonai, don’t rebuke me when you are angry 2 or discipline me when you are enraged,

3. (2) for your arrows penetrate me deeply, 3 and your hand is pressing me down.

4. (3) Your indignation left no part of me intact; 4 my sin made my whole body sick;

5. (4) for my iniquities loom high over my head 5 as a heavy burden, too heavy for me.

6. (5) I have stinking, festering wounds 6 because of my foolishness.

7. (6) I am bent down, prostrate completely; 7 I go about mourning all day long.

8. (7) For my insides burn with fever, 8 and my whole body is sick.

9. (8) I am numb, completely crushed; 9 my anguished heart makes me groan aloud.

10. (9) Adonai, all my longing is known to you; 10 my sighing is not hidden from you.

11. (10) My heart is throbbing, my strength is gone, 11 and the light in my eyes has left me.

12. (11) My friends and companions shun my disease; 12 even the closest keep their distance.

13. (12) Those seeking my life lay snares for me, 13 those seeking to harm me speak of disaster 13 and think up deceptions all day long.

14. (13) But I’m like a deaf man — I don’t hear it; 14 and, like a mute, I don’t say a word.

15. (14) Yes, I’ve become like a man who doesn’t hear 15 and in whose mouth are no defenses.

16. (15) For it is in you, Adonai, that I hope. 16 You will answer, Adonai my God.

17. (16) I said, “Don’t let them gloat over me 17 or boast against me when my foot slips.”

18. (17) For I am about to fall, 18 and my pain is always with me.

19. (18) I acknowledge my guilt, 19 I am anxious because of my sin.

20. (19) But my enemies are alive and well, 20 those who wrongfully hate me increase their numbers;

21. (20) and, since they repay good with evil, 21 they oppose me because I pursue good.

22. (21) Don’t abandon me, Adonai! 22 My God, don’t be far from me!

23. (22) Come quickly to help me, 23 Adonai, my salvation!