Psalm 38

William Helder © 1980, 2005

1. LORD, rebuke me not in anger,
   And no longer
   Let Your wrath on me descend.
   You have pierced me with Your arrows,
   Brought me sorrows,
   Bowed me down with Your own hand.
   
2. You have of all strength bereft me;
   Health has left me,
   And Your wrath is my despair.
   My iniquities distress me
   And oppress me;
   They are more than I can bear.
   
3. All my wounds are foul and reeking;
   Ever weakening,
   I am utterly bowed down.
   Bitter fruits of folly reaping,
   I go weeping,
   For my vigor is all gone.
   
4. I am crushed and numb with anguish
   As I languish,
   And in misery I groan.
   LORD, to You my mournful crying
   And my sighing
   Are not hidden or unknown.
   
5. How my pounding heart is straining;
   Strength is waning,
   And my eyes are failing me.
   I am by my friends neglected
   And rejected;
   Kinsmen see my plagues and flee.
   
6. Those who lie in wait to snare me
   Will not spare me
   All the mischief they devise.
   Seeming deaf and dumb before them,
   I ignore them
   And I offer no replies.
   
7. You, O LORD my God, will hear me
   And be near me;
   You, O LORD, will heed my voice.
   Though my foot may slip and waver,
   Show Your favor;
   Do not let my foes rejoice.
   
8. I am prone to fall or stumble,
   And I tremble,
   Thinking of my grief and pain.
   I acknowledge my transgression
   In confession,
   Deeply troubled by my sin.
   
9. Countless mighty foes berate me,
   Fiercely hate me;
   Without cause I am oppressed.
   Ill for good they always render;
   Me they slander
   Since I strive for what is best.
   
10. LORD, forsake me not but hear me
    And stay near me;
    Be my help and shield, I pray.
    Hasten to my aid, O Savior;
    Show Your favor.
    O my God, do not delay.