A psalm of David, written to get God’s attention.
38:1 O Lord, do not continue to rebuke me in your anger!
Do not continue to punish me in your raging fury!
38:2 For your arrows pierce
and your hand presses me down.
38:3 My whole body is sick because of your judgment;
I am deprived of health because of my sin.
38:4 For my sins overwhelm me;
like a heavy load, they are too much for me to bear.
38:5 My wounds
because of my foolish sins.
38:6 I am dazed
all day long I walk around mourning.
38:7 For I am overcome with shame
and my whole body is sick.
38:8 I am numb with pain and severely battered;
I groan loudly because of the anxiety I feel.
38:9 O Lord, you understand my heart’s desire;
my groaning is not hidden from you.
38:10 My heart beats quickly;
my strength leaves me;
I can hardly see.
38:11 Because of my condition,
my neighbors stand far away.
38:12 Those who seek my life try to entrap me;
those who want to harm me speak destructive words;
all day long they say deceitful things.
38:13 But I am like a deaf man – I hear nothing;
I am like a mute who cannot speak.
38:14 I am like a man who cannot hear
and is incapable of arguing his defense.
38:15 Yet
You will respond, O Lord, my God!
38:16 I have prayed for deliverance, because otherwise they will gloat over me;
when my foot slips they will arrogantly taunt me.
38:17 For I am about to stumble,
and I am in constant pain.
38:18 Yes,
and I am concerned about my sins.
38:19 But those who are my enemies for no reason are numerous;
those who hate me without cause outnumber me.
38:20 They repay me evil for the good I have done;
though I have tried to do good to them, they hurl accusations at me.
38:21 Do not abandon me, O Lord!
My God, do not remain far away from me!
38:22 Hurry and help me,