Chapter 38

¹{A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.} Jehovah, rebuke me not in thy wrath; neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. ²For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand cometh down upon me. ³There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine indignation; no peace in my bones, because of my sin. ⁴For mine iniquities are gone over my head: as a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. ⁵My wounds stink, they are corrupt, because of my foolishness. ⁶I am depressed; I am bowed down beyond measure; I go mourning all the day. ⁷For my loins are full of burning, and there is no soundness in my flesh. ⁸I am faint and broken beyond measure; I roar by reason of the agitation of my heart. ⁹Lord, all my desire is before thee, and my sighing is not hid from thee. ¹⁰My heart throbbeth, my strength hath left me; and the light of mine eyes, it also is no more with me. ¹¹My lovers and mine associates stand aloof from my stroke; and my kinsmen stand afar off. ¹²And they that seek after my life lay snares [for me]; and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and meditate deceits all the day long. ¹³But I, as a deaf [man], hear not; and am as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. ¹⁴Yea, I am as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs. ¹⁵For in thee, Jehovah, do I hope: thou wilt answer, O Lord my God. ¹⁶For I said, Let them not rejoice over me! When my foot slipped, they magnified [themselves] against me. ¹⁷For I am ready to halt, and my pain is continually before me. ¹⁸For I will declare mine iniquity, I am grieved for my sin. ¹⁹But mine enemies are lively, they are strong; and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied: ²⁰And they that render evil for good are adversaries unto me; because I pursue what is good. ²¹Forsake me not, Jehovah; O my God, be not far from me. ²²Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation.