Psalm 38:1-22

  • A prayer of a suffering repentant one

    • “Distressed and extremely downcast” (6)

    • Jehovah hears those waiting on him (15)

    • “I was troubled by my sin” (18)

A melody of David, to serve as a reminder.* 38  O Jehovah, do not reprove me in your anger,Nor correct me in your wrath.+  2  For your arrows have pierced deep into me,And your hand presses down on me.+  3  My whole body is sick* because of your indignation. There is no peace within my bones because of my sin.+  4  For my errors loom over my head;+Like a heavy burden, they are too much for me to bear.  5  My wounds stink and festerBecause of my foolishness.  6  I am distressed and extremely downcast;I walk around sad all day long.  7  There is a burning within me;*My whole body is sick.+  8  I have grown numb and become completely crushed;My anguished heart makes me groan aloud.*  9  O Jehovah, all my desires are before you,And my sighing is not hidden from you. 10  My heart pounds, my strength is gone,And the light of my eyes has left me.+ 11  My friends and my companions avoid me because of my plague,And my close acquaintances keep their distance. 12  Those seeking my life* set traps;Those trying to harm me speak of ruin;+They mutter deception all day long. 13  But like someone deaf, I would not listen;+Like someone speechless, I would not open my mouth.+ 14  I have become like a man who cannot hear,Whose mouth has nothing to say in defense. 15  For on you, O Jehovah, I waited,+And you answered me, O Jehovah my God.+ 16  For I said: “May they not gloat over meOr exalt themselves over me if my foot slips.” 17  For I was ready to collapse,And my pain was always with me.+ 18  I confessed my error;+I was troubled by my sin.+ 19  But my enemies are vigorous* and mighty,*Those hating me for no reason have become numerous. 20  They repaid me with bad for good;They were resisting me for pursuing what is good. 21  Do not abandon me, O Jehovah. O God, do not remain far away from me.+ 22  Do hurry to help me,O Jehovah, my salvation.+

Footnotes

^ Or “to bring to remembrance.”
^ Lit., “There is no sound spot in my flesh.”
^ Lit., “My loins are full of burning.”
^ Or “roar.”
^ Or “my soul.”
^ Lit., “alive.”
^ Or possibly, “But my enemies without cause are many.”