> [[psalm-37|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-39|Next →]] --- # Psalm 38 ## Prayer of an Afflicted Sinner 1 A psalm of David. For remembrance. ^psalm-38-1 ### I 2 LORD, do not punish me in your anger; ^psalm-38-2 in your wrath do not chastise me! 3 Your arrows have sunk deep in me; ^psalm-38-3 your hand has come down upon me. 4 There is no wholesomeness in my flesh because of your anger; ^psalm-38-4 there is no health in my bones because of my sin. 5 My iniquities overwhelm me, ^psalm-38-5 a burden too heavy for me. ### II 6 Foul and festering are my sores ^psalm-38-6 because of my folly. 7 I am stooped and deeply bowed; ^psalm-38-7 every day I go about mourning. 8 My loins burn with fever; ^psalm-38-8 there is no wholesomeness in my flesh. 9 I am numb and utterly crushed; ^psalm-38-9 I wail with anguish of heart. 10 My Lord, my deepest yearning is before you; ^psalm-38-10 my groaning is not hidden from you. 11 My heart shudders, my strength forsakes me; ^psalm-38-11 the very light of my eyes has failed. 12 Friends and companions shun my disease; ^psalm-38-12 my neighbors stand far off. 13 Those who seek my life lay snares for me; ^psalm-38-13 they seek my misfortune, they speak of ruin; they plot treachery every day. ### III 14 But I am like the deaf, hearing nothing, ^psalm-38-14 like the mute, I do not open my mouth, 15 I am even like someone who does not hear, ^psalm-38-15 who has no answer ready. 16 LORD, it is for you that I wait; ^psalm-38-16 O Lord, my God, you respond. 17 For I have said that they would gloat over me, ^psalm-38-17 exult over me if I stumble. ### IV 18 I am very near to falling; ^psalm-38-18 my wounds are with me always. 19 I acknowledge my guilt ^psalm-38-19 and grieve over my sin. 20 My enemies live and grow strong, ^psalm-38-20 those who hate me grow numerous fraudulently, 21 Repaying me evil for good, ^psalm-38-21 accusing me for pursuing good. 22 Do not forsake me, O LORD; ^psalm-38-22 my God, be not far from me! 23 Come quickly to help me, ^psalm-38-23 my Lord and my salvation! \* (Psalm 38) In this lament, one of the Penitential Psalms (cf. [Ps 6]), the psalmist acknowledges the sin that has brought physical and mental sickness and social ostracism. There is no one to turn to for help; only God can undo the past and restore the psalmist. a. (38:2) ([[psalm-06|Ps 6]]:2]. b. (38:3) [Jb 6:4]; [Lam 3:12]; [Ps 31:11]; [64:7]. c. (38:4) [Is 1:5] – [6]. d. (38:5) [Ps 40:13]; ([[ezra-09|Ezr 9]]:6]. e. (38:7) [Ps 35:14]. f. (38:9) [Ps 102:4] – [6]. g. (38:11) ([[psalm-06|Ps 6]]:8]; [31:10]. h. (38:16) ([[psalm-13|Ps 13]]:4]. i. (38:19) [Ps 32:5]; [51:5]. j. (38:21) [Ps 109:5]. k. (38:22) ([[psalm-22|Ps 22]]:2], [12], [20]; [35:22]. l. (38:23) [Ps 40:14]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[psalm-37|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-39|Next →]]