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.