38:1 A psalm of David. A petition. O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.

38:2 For your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down upon me.

38:3 Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; my bones have no soundness 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, O 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 seek my life set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they plot deception.

38:13 I am like a deaf man, who cannot hear, like a mute, who cannot open his mouth;

38:14 I have become like a man who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply.

38:15 I wait for you, O LORD; you will answer, O Lord my God.

38:16 For I said, "Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips."

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 are those who are my vigorous enemies; those who hate me without reason are numerous.

38:20 Those who repay my good with evil slander me when I pursue what is good.

38:21 O LORD, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God.

38:22 Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior.