NETtext - Psalms - 38

38:1  A psalm of David, written to get God's attention. 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 me, 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 are infected and starting to smell, because of my foolish sins.

38:6  I am dazed and completely humiliated; 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, even my friends and acquaintances keep their distance; 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 I wait for you, O LORD! 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, I confess my wrongdoing, 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, O Lord, my deliverer!