Psalm 38

⁵ My wounds are ugly. They stink.
    I’ve been foolish. I have sinned.
⁶ I am bent over. I’ve been brought very low.
    All day long I go around weeping.
⁷ My back is filled with burning pain.
    My whole body is sick.
⁸ I am weak and feel as if I’ve been broken in pieces.
    I groan because of the great pain in my heart.

⁹ Lord, everything I really want is clearly known to you.
    You always hear me when I sigh.
¹⁰ My heart pounds, and my strength is gone.
    My eyes can hardly see.
¹¹ My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds.
    My neighbors stay far away from me.
¹² Those who are trying to kill me set their traps.
    Those who want to harm me talk about destroying me.
    All day long they make their plans and tell their lies.

¹³ Like a deaf person, I can’t hear.
    Like someone who can’t speak, I can’t say a word.
¹⁴ I’m like someone who doesn’t hear.
    I’m like someone whose mouth can’t make any reply.
¹⁵ Lord, I wait for you to help me.
    Lord my God, I know you will answer.
¹⁶ I said, “Don’t let my enemies have the joy of seeing me fall.
    Don’t let them brag when my feet slip.”

¹⁷ I am about to fall.
    My pain never leaves me.
¹⁸ I admit that I have done wrong.
    I am troubled by my sin.
¹⁹ Though I have done nothing to cause it, many people have become my enemies.
    They hate me without any reason.
²⁰ They pay me back with evil, even though I was good to them.
    They bring charges against me, though I try only to do what is good.

²¹ Lord, don’t desert me.
    My God, don’t be far away from me.
²² Lord my Savior,
    come quickly to help me.