38:1 *[A psalm of David. A petition.] Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. / *In Hebrew texts 38:1-22 is numbered 38:2-23.
38:2 Your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down on me.
38:3 Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin.
38:4 My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.
38:5 My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly.
38:6 I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning.
38:7 My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body.
38:8 I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart.
38:9 All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.
38:10 My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes.
38:11 My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away.
38:12 Those who want to kill me set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they scheme and lie.
38:13 I am like the deaf, who cannot hear, like the mute, who cannot speak;
38:14 I have become like one who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply.
38:15 Lord, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God.
38:16 For I said, “Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.”
38:17 For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me.
38:18 I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.
38:19 Many have become my enemies without cause*; those who hate me without reason are numerous. / *One Dead Sea Scrolls manuscript; Masoretic Text my vigorous enemies
38:20 Those who repay my good with evil lodge accusations against me, though I seek only to do what is good.
38:21 Lord, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God.
38:22 Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior.