Psalm 38

1LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger,
do not discipline me in your wrath. 2For your arrows have sunk into me,
and your hand has come down upon me.

3There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation;
there is no peace in my bones because of my sin. 4For my iniquities have risen over my head;
like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me. 5My wounds stink and fester
because of my foolishness. 6I am bent and bowed down greatly;
all day long I walk about in mourning. 7For my loins are full of burning,
and there is no soundness in my flesh. 8I am numb and utterly crushed;
I roar because of the groaning of my heart.

9Lord, all my longing is before you,
and my groaning is not hidden from you. 10My heart pounds; my strength has left me,
and even the light of my eyes is gone from me. 11My loved ones and my friends stand away from my affliction,
and my close ones stand at a distance. 12Those seeking my life lay snares,
and those seeking my harm speak ruin;
all day long they devise deceit.

13But I am like one deaf, who does not hear,
like one mute, who does not open his mouth. 14I have become like one who does not hear,
in whose mouth are no replies. 15For I wait for you, LORD;
you will answer, Lord my God. 16For I said, “Let them not rejoice over me;
when my foot slips, let them not exalt themselves over me.”

17For I am ready to fall,
and my pain is always before me. 18For I confess my iniquity;
I am troubled because of my sin. 19But my enemies are vigorous and strong,
and many are those who hate me without cause. 20Those who repay evil for good accuse me
because I pursue what is good.

21Do not forsake me, LORD;
my God, do not be far from me. 22Hurry to help me,
Lord, my salvation.