Psalm 38

C.M. (86.86)

1Lord, don’t rebuke me in Your wrath, in anger don’t chide me;
2Your arrows pierce me and Your hand is heavy upon me.

3Because of Your great wrath, I’m sick; my bones are weak from sin;
4My guilt o’erwhelms me like a weight, too deep to bear within.

5My wounds, they fester loathsomely, because of sinful pride.
6I am bowed down, brought very low; and mourn all day inside.

7My back is filled with searing pain; in me no health is found;
8I’m feeble and crushed utterly; my anguished groans abound.

9My longings lie before You, Lord, and You hear all my sighs;
10With pounding heart, my strength fails me; the light’s gone from my eyes.

11My friends and neighbors stay away, because they see my lot.
12Foes set their traps and seek my life, and all day long they plot.

13I’m like the deaf who cannot hear; like mute, who cannot speak;
14I’m like the one who does not hear, whose mouth no words can speak.

15I wait for You, O Lord, my God, and You will answer me;
16For I said, “Do not let them gloat; exalt themselves o’er me.”

17For I am just about to fall; my pain’s always within;
18So I confess iniquity; I’m troubled by my sin.

19Too many are my enemies, who hate me without cause;
20They pay me evil for my good; and slander without pause.

21O Lord, do not forsake me now, and be not far from me.
22O Lord, my Savior, hear me now; come quickly to help me!