Psalm 38                                                         Friday Readings 2

Yahweh, do not rebuke me in your anger, * nor punish me in your annoyance.

    For your arrows have sunk into me, * and your arm descended upon me.

        There is no soundness in my flesh, * because of your indignation.

        There is no wholeness in my bones, * because of my sin.

    For my crimes have come down on my head; * like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.

 

        My wounds stink and fester * because of my foolishness.

           I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; * all day long I go about in gloom.

           For my sinews are full of fever, * and there is no soundness in my flesh.

        I am spent and utterly crushed; * I groan and moan in my heart.

 

           Lord, all my sighing is before you, * and my groaning never leaves your presence.

               My heart is fever-racked, * my strength has left me,

                   even the light of my eyes, * unfortunately is gone from me.

                   My friends and companions * stand far away from my plague; * my neighbors stand at a distance.

               Those who seek my life lay snares; * they who desire my misfortune pursue me.

           Ruin and treachery * they ponder all day long.

 

        But I am like a deaf man who cannot hear, * like a dumb man who opens not his mouth.

           I have become like a man who does not hear, * and from whose mouth no recriminations come.

           But for you, Yahweh, I wait; * my Lord, my God, you will answer

        when I say, “Let them not rejoice over me; * or when my foot slips defame me.”

 

    For my iniquity is stationed at my side; * my grief is ever before me.

        Yes, I hold my guilt before me; * I am apprehensive because of my sin.

        My mortal enemies are powerful; * my treacherous enemies are numerous.

    Those who repay me evil for good * slander me when I seek their good.

Do not abandon me, Yahweh; * my God, be not distant from me!

Hurry to help me, * O Lord, to save me!

 

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