Psalm 38:1-Psalm 39:1 - Prayer Of A Suffering Sinner
1 A psalm of David, written to get God's attention. O Lord, do not continue to rebuke me in your anger! Do not continue to punish me in your raging fury! 2 For your arrows pierce me, and your hand presses me down.
3 My whole body is sick because of your judgment; I am deprived of health because of my sin. 4 For my sins overwhelm me; like a heavy load, they are too much for me to bear. 5 My wounds are infected and starting to smell, because of my foolish sins. 6 I am dazed and completely humiliated; all day long I walk around mourning. 7 For I am overcome with shame and my whole body is sick. 8 I am numb with pain and severely battered; I groan loudly because of the anxiety I feel.
9 O Lord, you understand my heart's desire; my groaning is not hidden from you. 10 My heart beats quickly; my strength leaves me; I can hardly see. 11 Because of my condition, even my friends and acquaintances keep their distance; my neighbors stand far away. 12 Those who seek my life try to entrap me; those who want to harm me speak destructive words; all day long they say deceitful things.
13 But I am like a deaf man -- I hear nothing; I am like a mute who cannot speak. 14 I am like a man who cannot hear and is incapable of arguing his defense. 15 Yet I wait for you, O Lord! You will respond, O Lord, my God! 16 I have prayed for deliverance, because otherwise they will gloat over me; when my foot slips they will arrogantly taunt me. 17 For I am about to stumble, and I am in constant pain. 18 Yes, I confess my wrongdoing, and I am concerned about my sins. 19 But those who are my enemies for no reason are numerous; those who hate me without cause outnumber me. 20 They repay me evil for the good I have done; though I have tried to do good to them, they hurl accusations at me.
21 Do not abandon me, O Lord! My God, do not remain far away from me! 22 Hurry and help me, O Lord, my deliverer!
1 For the music director, Jeduthun; a psalm of David. I decided, "I will watch what I say and make sure I do not sin with my tongue. I will put a muzzle over my mouth while in the presence of an evil man."