Psalms 38

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 [Psalm Of David In commemoration] Yahweh, do not correct me in anger, do not discipline me inwrath.	1 Unto the end. For Jeduthun himself. A Canticle of David.
2 For your arrows have pierced deep into me, your hand has pressed down upon me.	2 I said, “I will keep to my ways, so that I will not offend with my tongue.” I posted a guard at my mouth, when a sinner took up a position against me.
3 Your indignation has left no part of me unscathed, my sin has left no health in my bones.	3 I was silenced and humbled, and I was quiet before good things, and my sorrow was renewed.
4 My sins stand higher than my head, they weigh on me as an unbearable weight.	4 My heart grew hot within me, and, during my meditation, a fire would flare up.
5 I have stinking, festering wounds, thanks to my fol y.	5 I spoke with my tongue, “O Lord, make me know my end, and what the number of my days will be, so that I may know what is lacking to me.”
6 I am twisted and bent double, I spend my days in gloom.	6 Behold, you have made my days measurable, and, before you, my substance is as nothing. Yet truly, all things are vanity: every living man.
7 My loins burn with fever, no part of me is unscathed.	7 So then, truly man passes by like an image; even so, he is disquieted in vain. He stores up, and he knows not for whom he will gather these things.
8 Numbed and utterly crushed I groan in distress of heart.	8 And now, what is it that awaits me? Is it not the Lord? And my substance is with you.
9 Lord, all my longing is known to you, my sighing no secret from you,	9 Rescue me from all my iniquities. You have handed me over as reproach to the foolish.
10 my heart is throbbing, my strength has failed, the light has gone out of my eyes.	10 I was silenced, and I did not open my mouth, because it was you who acted.
11 Friends and companions shun my disease, even the dearest of them keep their distance.	11 Remove your scourges from me.
12 Those with designs on my life lay snares, those who wish me ill speak of violence and hatchtreachery all day long.	12 I fall short at corrections from the strength of your hand. For you have chastised man for iniquity. And you have made his soul shrink away like a spider. Nevertheless, it is in vain that any man be disquieted.
13 But I hear nothing, as though I were deaf, as though dumb, saying not a word.	13 O Lord, heed my prayer and my supplication. Pay attention to my tears. Do not be silent. For I am a newcomer with you, and a sojourner, just as all my fathers were.
14 I am like the one who, hearing nothing, has no sharp answer to make.	14 Forgive me, so that I may be refreshed, before I will go forth and be no more.
15 For in you, Yahweh, I put my hope, you, Lord my God, wil give answer.
16 I said, 'Never let them gloat over me, do not let them take advantage of me if my foot slips.'
17 There is no escape for me from fal ing, no relief from my misery.
18 But I make no secret of my guilt, I am anxious at the thought of my sin.
19 There is no numbering those who oppose me without cause, no counting those who hate meunprovoked,
20 repaying me evil for good, slandering me for trying to do them good.
21 Yahweh, do not desert me, my God, do not stand aloof from me.
22 Come quickly to my help, Lord, my Saviour!