Psalm 38

Psalm 38 1A psalm of David. A prayer. LORD, 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 sick. 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 sick.

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 neighbors 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 brag 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 Savior, come quickly to help me.