Psalm 38

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

1O Lord, do not continue to rebuke me in your anger!

Do not continue to punish me in your raging fury!

2For your arrows pierce me,

and your hand presses me down.

3My whole body is sick because of your judgment;

I am deprived of health because of my sin.

4For my sins overwhelm me;

like a heavy load, they are too much for me to bear.

5My wounds are infected and starting to smell,

because of my foolish sins.

6I am dazed and completely humiliated;

all day long I walk around mourning.

7For I am overcome with shame

and my whole body is sick.

8I am numb with pain and severely battered;

I groan loudly because of the anxiety I feel.

9O Lord, you understand my heart’s desire;

my groaning is not hidden from you.

10My heart beats quickly;

my strength leaves me;

I can hardly see.

11Because of my condition, even my friends and acquaintances keep their distance;

my neighbors stand far away.

12Those who seek my life try to entrap me;

those who want to harm me speak destructive words;

all day long they say deceitful things.

13But I am like a deaf man – I hear nothing;

I am like a mute who cannot speak.

14I am like a man who cannot hear

and is incapable of arguing his defense.

15Yet I wait for you, O Lord!

You will respond, O Lord, my God!

16I have prayed for deliverance, because otherwise they will gloat over me;

when my foot slips they will arrogantly taunt me.

17For I am about to stumble,

and I am in constant pain.

18Yes, I confess my wrongdoing,

and I am concerned about my sins.

19But those who are my enemies for no reason are numerous;

those who hate me without cause outnumber me.

20They repay me evil for the good I have done;

though I have tried to do good to them, they hurl accusations at me.

21Do not abandon me, O Lord!

My God, do not remain far away from me!

22Hurry and help me, O Lord, my deliverer!