Chapter 38

  A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.  

  For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.  

  [There is] no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither [is there any] rest in my bones because of my sin.  

  For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.  

  My wounds stink [and] are corrupt because of my foolishness.  

  I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.  

  For my loins are filled with a loathsome [disease]: and [there is] no soundness in my flesh.  

  I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.  

  Lord, all my desire [is] before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.  

  My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.  

  My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.  

  They also that seek after my life lay snares [for me]: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.  

  But I, as a deaf [man], heard not; and [I was] as a dumb man [that] openeth not his mouth.  

  Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth [are] no reproofs.  

  For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.  

  For I said, [Hear me], lest [otherwise] they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify [themselves] against me.  

  For I [am] ready to halt, and my sorrow [is] continually before me.  

  For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.  

  But mine enemies [are] lively, [and] they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.  

  They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow [the thing that] good [is].  

  Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.  

  Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.