Psalms 38

1A Psalm of David, `To cause to remember.' Jehovah, in Thy wrath reprove me not, Nor in Thy fury chastise me.

1Unto the end, for Idithun himself, a canticle of David.

2For Thine arrows have come down on me, And Thou lettest down upon me Thy hand.

2I said: I will take heed to my ways: that I sin not with my tongue. I have set a guard to my mouth, when the sinner stood against me.

3Soundness is not in my flesh, Because of Thine indignation, Peace is not in my bones because of my sin.

3I was dumb, and was humbled, and kept silence from good things: and my sorrow was renewed.

4For mine iniquities have passed over my head, As a heavy burden--too heavy for me.

4My heart grew hot within me: and in my meditation a fire shall flame out.

5Stunk--become corrupt have my wounds, Because of my folly.

5I spoke with my tongue: O Lord, make me know my end. And what is the number of my days: that I may know what is wanting to me.

6I have been bent down, I have been bowed down--unto excess, All the day I have gone mourning.

6Behold thou hast made my days measurable. and my substance is as nothing before thee. And indeed all things are vanity: every man living.

7For my flanks have been full of drought, And soundness is not in my flesh.

7Surely man passeth as an image: yea, and he is disquieted in vain. He storeth up: and he knoweth not for whom he shall gather these things.

8I have been feeble and smitten--unto excess, I have roared from disquietude of heart.

8And now what is my hope? is it not the Lord? and my substance is with thee.

9Lord, before Thee <FI>is<Fi> all my desire, And my sighing from Thee hath not been hid.

9Deliver thou me from all my iniquities: thou hast made me a reproach to the fool.

10My heart <FI>is<Fi> panting, my power hath forsaken me, And the light of mine eyes, Even they are not with me.

10I was dumb, and I opened not my mouth, because thou hast done it.

11My lovers and my friends over-against my plague stand. And my neighbours afar off have stood.

11Remove thy scourges from me. The strength of thy hand hath made me faint in rebukes:

12And those seeking my soul lay a snare, And those seeking my evil Have spoken mischievous things, And they do deceits meditate all the day.

12Thou hast corrected man for iniquity. And thou hast made his soul to waste away like a spider: surely in vain is any man disquieted.

13And I, as deaf, hear not. And as a dumb one who openeth not his mouth.

13Hear my prayer, O Lord, and my supplication: give ear to my tears. Be no silent: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner as all my fathers were.

14Yea, I am as a man who heareth not, And in his mouth are no reproofs.

14O forgive me, that I may be refreshed, before I go hence, and be no more.

15Because for Thee, O Jehovah, I have waited, Thou dost answer, O Lord my God.

15(not in this translation)

16When I said, `Lest they rejoice over me, In the slipping of my foot against me they magnified themselves.

16(not in this translation)

17For I am ready to halt, And my pain <FI>is<Fi> before me continually.

17(not in this translation)

18For mine iniquity I declare, I am sorry for my sin.

18(not in this translation)

19And mine enemies <FI>are<Fi> lively, They have been strong, and those hating me without cause, Have been multiplied.

19(not in this translation)

20And those paying evil for good accuse me, Because of my pursuing good.

20(not in this translation)

21Do not forsake me, O Jehovah, My God, be not far from me,

21(not in this translation)

22Haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!

22(not in this translation)