Psalms 38
A psalm of David, asking God to remember him.
1O Lord, don’t rebuke me in your anger
or discipline me in your rage!
2Your arrows have struck deep,
and your blows are crushing me.
3Because of your anger, my whole body is sick;
my health is broken because of my sins.
4My guilt overwhelms me—
it is a burden too heavy to bear.
5My wounds fester and stink
because of my foolish sins.
6I am bent over and racked with pain.
All day long I walk around filled with grief.
7A raging fever burns within me,
and my health is broken.
8I am exhausted and completely crushed.
My groans come from an anguished heart.
9You know what I long for, Lord;
you hear my every sigh.
10My heart beats wildly, my strength fails,
and I am going blind.
11My loved ones and friends stay away, fearing my disease.
Even my own family stands at a distance.
12Meanwhile, my enemies lay traps to kill me.
Those who wish me harm make plans to ruin me.
All day long they plan their treachery.
13But I am deaf to all their threats.
I am silent before them as one who cannot speak.
14I choose to hear nothing,
and I make no reply.
15For I am waiting for you, O Lord.
You must answer for me, O Lord my God.
16I prayed, “Don’t let my enemies gloat over me
or rejoice at my downfall.”
17I am on the verge of collapse,
facing constant pain.
18But I confess my sins;
I am deeply sorry for what I have done.
19I have many aggressive enemies;
they hate me without reason.
20They repay me evil for good
and oppose me for pursuing good.
21Do not abandon me, O Lord.
Do not stand at a distance, my God.
22Come quickly to help me,
O Lord my savior.