PSALM 1938

Prayer of an Afflicted Sinner

1 A psalm of David. For remembrance.

2 LORD, punish me no more in your anger;
in your wrath do not chastise me!

3 Your arrows have sunk deep in me;
your hand has come down upon me.

4 My flesh is afflicted because of your anger;
my frame aches because of my sin.

5 My iniquities overwhelm me, a burden beyond my strength.

6 Foul and festering are my sores because of my folly.

7 I am stooped and deeply bowed; all day I go about mourning.

8 My loins burn with fever; my flesh is afflicted.

9 I am numb and utterly crushed; I wail with anguish of heart.

10 My Lord, my deepest yearning is before you;
my groaning is not hidden from you.

11 My heart shudders, my strength forsakes me;
the very light of my eyes has failed.

12 Friends and companions shun my pain;
my neighbors stand far off.

13 Those who seek my life lay snares for me; they seek my misfortune,
they speak of ruin; they plot treachery all the day.

14 But I am like the deaf, hearing nothing,
like the dumb, saying nothing,

15 Like someone who does not hear, who has no answer ready.

16 LORD, I wait for you; O Lord, my God, answer me.

17 For I fear they will gloat, exult over me if I stumble.

18 I am very near to falling; my pain is with me always.

19 I acknowledge my guilt and grieve over my sin.

20 But many are my foes without cause,
a multitude of enemies without reason,

21 Repaying me evil for good, harassing me for pursuing good.

22 Forsake me not, O LORD; my God, be not far from me!

23 Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my salvation!