Psalms - Chapter 38

1<A Psalm. Of David. To keep in memory.> O Lord, be not bitter with me in your wrath; let not your hand be on me in the heat of your passion. 2For your arrows have gone into my flesh, and I am crushed under the weight of your hand. 3My flesh is wasted because of your wrath; and there is no peace in my bones because of my sin. 4For my crimes have gone over my head; they are like a great weight which is more than my strength. 5My wounds are poisoned and evil-smelling, because of my foolish behaviour. 6I am troubled, I am made low; I go weeping all the day. 7For my body is full of burning; all my flesh is unhealthy. 8I am feeble and crushed down; I gave a cry like a lion because of the grief in my heart. 9Lord, all my desire is before you; my sorrow is not kept secret from you. 10My heart goes out in pain, my strength is wasting away; as for the light of my eyes, it is gone from me. 11My lovers and my friends keep away from my disease; my relations keep far away. 12Those who have a desire to take my life put nets for me; those who are designing my destruction say evil things against me, all the day their minds are full of deceit. 13But I kept my ears shut like a man without hearing; like a man without a voice, never opening his mouth. 14So I was like a man whose ears are shut, and in whose mouth there are no sharp words. 15In you, O Lord, is my hope: you will give me an answer, O Lord, my God. 16I said, Let them not be glad over me; when my foot is moved, let them not be lifted up with pride against me. 17My feet are near to falling, and my sorrow is ever before me. 18I will make clear my wrongdoing, with sorrow in my heart for my sin. 19But they are strong who have hate for me without cause: those who are against me falsely are increased in numbers. 20They give me back evil for good; they are my haters because I go after the thing which is right. 21Do not give me up, O Lord; O my God, be near to me. 22Come quickly to give me help, O Lord, my salvation.