Psalms



Psalm 38

A psalm of David, written to get God's attention.

   1 O LORD, do not continue to rebuke me in your anger! Do not continue to punish me in your raging fury!
   2 For your arrows pierce me, and your hand presses me down.
   3 My whole body is sick because of your judgment; I am deprived of health because of my sin.
   4 For my sins overwhelm me; like a heavy load, they are too much for me to bear.
   5 My wounds are infected and starting to smell, because of my foolish sins.
   6 I am dazed and completely humiliated; all day long I walk around mourning.
   7 For I am overcome with shame and my whole body is sick.
   8 I am numb with pain and severely battered; I groan loudly because of the anxiety I feel.
   9 O LORD, you understand my heart's desire; my groaning is not hidden from you.
   10 My heart beats quickly; my strength leaves me; I can hardly see.
   11 Because of my condition, even my friends and acquaintances keep their distance; my neighbors stand far away.
   12 Those who seek my life try to entrap me; those who want to harm me speak destructive words; all day long they say deceitful things.
   13 But I am like a deaf man - I hear nothing; I am like a mute who cannot speak.
   14 I am like a man who cannot hear and is incapable of arguing his defense.
   15 Yet I wait for you, O LORD! You will respond, O LORD, my God!
   16 I have prayed for deliverance, because otherwise they will gloat over me; when my foot slips they will arrogantly taunt me.
   17 For I am about to stumble, and I am in constant pain.
   18 Yes, I confess my wrongdoing, and I am concerned about my sins.
   19 But those who are my enemies for no reason are numerous; those who hate me without cause outnumber me.
   20 They repay me evil for the good I have done; though I have tried to do good to them, they hurl accusations at me.
   21 Do not abandon me, O LORD! My God, do not remain far away from me! 22 Hurry and help me, O LORD, my deliverer!