Psalm 38

In wrath do not rebuke me, LORD,

Or in your anger chasten me.

Your arrows deeply pierce my soul;

Your hand lies on me heavily.

Because your anger rests on me,

My body has no health within;

There is no soundness in my bones,

Because you judge me for my sin.

My guilt has overwhelmed my soul;

Its burden is a crushing weight.

My wounds are foul and festering,

Because my foolishness is great.

I am bowed down, I am brought low,

And I go mourning all the day.

My back is filled with searing pain,

And my whole body wastes away.

I’m feeble and completely crushed;

In anguish of my heart I groan.

Lord, my desires before you lie;

To you my sighing is well known.

My heart beats wildly, strength has failed,

The light has faded from my eye.

My friends and neighbours keep away;

They see my wounds and then pass by.

My enemies who seek my life

With cunning set their snares for me;

My foes conspire to do me harm,

And all day long plot treachery.

I’m like the deaf, who cannot hear,

And like the mute, who cannot cry.

I’m like a man who hears no sound,

Whose mouth can offer no reply.

I wait for you, O Lord my God;

And you, O LORD, will answer me.

I prayed to you, “If my foot slips,

Let them not gloat exultantly.”

Indeed I am about to fall;

My pain is ever deep within.

I must confess iniquity,

And I am troubled by my sin.

My foes are vigorous and strong;

And many hate me wrongfully.

My good with evil they repay;

When I seek good, they slander me.

O LORD, do not abandon me;

Do not be far from me, my God.

Come quickly to deliver me

Because you are my Saviour, Lord.