Psalms — Chapter 38

A psalm of David. Lehazkir.aLehazkir Meaning of Heb. uncertain.

O ETERNAL One, do not punish me in wrath;do not chastise me in fury.

For Your arrows have struck me;Your blows have fallen upon me.

There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your rage,no wholeness in my bones because of my sin.

For my iniquities have overwhelmed me;boverwhelmed me Lit. “passed over my head.” they are like a heavy burden, more than I can bear.

My wounds stink and festerbecause of my folly.

I am all bent and bowed;I walk about in gloom all day long.

For my sinews are full of fever;there is no soundness in my flesh.

I am all benumbed and crushed;I roar because of the turmoil in my mind.

O my Sovereign, You are aware of all my entreaties;my groaning is not hidden from You.

My mind reels;my strength fails me;my eyes too have lost their luster.

My friends and companions stand back from my affliction;my kin stand far off.

Those who seek my life lay traps;those who wish me harm speak malice;they utter deceit all the time.

But I am like the deaf, unhearing,like the mute who cannot speak up;

I am like one who does not hear,whose mouth has no retort.

But I wait for You, O ETERNAL One;You will answer, O my Sovereign, my God.

For I fear they will rejoice over me;when my foot gives way they will vaunt themselves against me.

For I am on the verge of collapse;my pain is always with me.

I acknowledge my iniquity;I am fearful over my sin;

for my mortal enemies are numerous;my treacherous foes are many.

Those who repay evil for goodharass me for pursuing good.

Do not abandon me, O ETERNAL One;my God, be not far from me;

hasten to my aid,O my Sovereign, my deliverance.