Psalms

Prayer of a Suffering Sinner

38  Lord, do not punish me in Your angeror discipline me in Your wrath. 2 For Your arrows have sunk into me,and Your hand has pressed down on me. 

3 There is no health in my bodybecause of Your indignation;there is no strength A in my bonesbecause of my sin. 4 For my sins have flooded over my head;they are a burden too heavy for me to bear. 5 My wounds are foul and festeringbecause of my foolishness. 6 I am bent over and brought low;all day long I go around in mourning. 7 For my loins are full of burning pain,and there is no health in my body. 8 I am faint and severely crushed;I groan because of the anguish of my heart. 

9 Lord, my every desire is known to B You;my sighing is not hidden from You. 10 My heart races, my strength leaves me,and even the light of my eyes has faded. C 11 My loved ones and friends stand back from my affliction,and my relatives stand at a distance. 12 Those who seek my life set traps,and those who want to harm me threaten to destroy me;they plot treachery all day long. 

13 I am like a deaf person; I do not hear.I am like a speechless personwho does not open his mouth. 14 I am like a man who does not hearand has no arguments in his mouth. 15 I put my hope in You, Lord;You will answer, Lord my God. 16 For I said, “Don’t let them rejoice over me —those who are arrogant toward me when I stumble.” 17 For I am about to fall,and my pain is constantly with me. 18 So I confess my •guilt;I am anxious because of my sin. 19 But my enemies are vigorous and powerful; Dmany hate me for no reason. 20 Those who repay evil for goodattack me for pursuing good. 

21 Lord, do not abandon me;my God, do not be far from me. 22 Hurry to help me,Lord, my Savior.