Psalm 38 (Today's New International Version)

A psalm of David. A petition."

1 LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.¹ 2 Your arrows² have pierced me, and your hand has come down on me. 3 Because of your wrath there is no health³ in my body; there is no soundness in my bones⁴ because of my sin. 4 My guilt has overwhelmed⁵ me like a burden too heavy to bear.⁶ 5 My wounds⁷ fester and are loathsome⁸ because of my sinful folly.⁹ 6 I am bowed down¹⁰ and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning.¹¹ 7 My back is filled with searing pain;¹² there is no health¹³ in my body. 8 I am feeble and utterly crushed;¹⁴ I groan¹⁵ in anguish of heart.¹⁶ 9 All my longings¹⁷ lie open before you, Lord; my sighing¹⁸ is not hidden from you. 10 My heart pounds,¹⁹ my strength fails²⁰ me; even the light has gone from my eyes.²¹ 11 My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds;²² my neighbors stay far away. 12 Those who seek my life set their traps,²³ those who would harm me talk of my ruin;²⁴ all day long they scheme and lie.²⁵ 13 I am like the deaf, who cannot hear,²⁶ like the mute, who cannot speak; 14 I have become like one who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply. 15 LORD, I wait²⁷ for you; you will answer,²⁸ Lord my God. 16 For I said, "Do not let them gloat²⁹ or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip."³⁰ 17 For I am about to fall,³¹ and my pain³² is ever with me. 18 I confess my iniquity;³³ I am troubled by my sin. 19 Many have become my enemies³⁴ without cause^a; those who hate me³⁵ without reason³⁶ are numerous. 20 Those who repay my good with evil³⁷ lodge accusations³⁸ against me, though I seek only to do what is good. 21 LORD, do not forsake me;³⁹ do not be far⁴⁰ from me, my God. 22 Come quickly⁴¹ to help me,⁴² my Lord and my Savior.⁴³