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Psalms

A collection of songs and prayers expressing a wide range of emotions and thoughts on faith.

Chapter 38

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1 O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

*O GOD, don't scold me when you're angry: don't punish me when you're really upset.

2 For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.

*Your arrows have stuck in me, and your hand is pressing me very hard.

3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.

*My body isn't healthy due to your anger, and I can't rest because of my wrongdoing.

4 For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.

*My wrongdoings have piled up too much: they feel like a heavy load that's too hard to carry.

5 My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.

*My injuries smell bad and are rotten due to my stupidity.

6 I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.

*I'm worried, I feel very heavy; I walk sad all day long.

7 For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh.

*My insides have a terrible sickness, and my body isn't healthy.

8 I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.

*I am weak and greatly hurt: I have loudly cried because of the worry in my heart.

9 Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.

*Lord, all I want is known to you, and you see my pain.

10 My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.

*My heart longs, my strength is failing; even the light that my eyes see has disappeared.

11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.

*My dear ones and friends stay away from my pain, and my family members are also far away.

12 They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.

*People trying to harm me set traps for me. Those who wish me harm spread bad rumors and think of deceptive plans all day.

13 But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.

*But me, like a person who can't hear, didn't hear anything, and I was like someone who can't speak and doesn't open their mouth.

14 Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs.

*So, I became like someone who doesn't hear and has no criticisms in their mouth.

15 For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.

*In you, Lord, I put my trust; listen, Lord, to my prayer.

16 For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.

*I said, "Listen to me, or else they will be happy at my misfortune." When I slip and fall, they brag about it.

17 For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me.

*Because I'm prepared to stop, and my sadness is always with me.

18 For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.

*I'll admit my wrongdoing, and feel bad for my mistake.

19 But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.

*But my opponents are active and powerful; those who falsely hate me are increasing in number.

20 They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.

*Those who do bad in return for good are my enemies, as I choose to do what is good.

21 Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.

*Don't leave me, Lord: My God, don't be too far away from me.

22 Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.

*Hurry up and help me, God, my savior.

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