1O Jehovah , rebuke me not in thy wrath; Neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. 2For thine arrows stick fast in me , And thy hand presseth me sore . 3There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine indignation; Neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin. 4For mine iniquities are gone over my head : As a heavy burden they are too heavy for me .
Physical and Emotional Distress
5My wounds are loathsome and corrupt, Because of my foolishness. 6I am pained and bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long . 7For my loins are filled with burning ; And there is no soundness in my flesh. 8I am faint and sore bruised: I have groaned by reason of the disquietness of my heart.
The Cry for Help
9Lord, all my desire is before thee; And my groaning is not hid from thee. 10My heart throbbeth, my strength faileth me : As for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me . 11My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my plague; And my kinsmen stand afar off . 12They also that seek after my life lay snares for me ; And they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, And meditate deceits all the day long . 13But I , as a deaf man , hear not ; And I am as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth . 14Yea, I am as a man that heareth not , And in whose mouth are no reproofs. 15For in thee , O Jehovah , do I hope: Thou wilt answer, O Lord my God .
The Reality of Enemies
16For I said , Lest they rejoice over me : When my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me . 17For I am ready to fall , And my sorrow is continually before me . 18For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin. 19But mine enemies are lively, and are strong; And they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. 20They also that render evil for good Are adversaries unto me , because I follow the thing that is good.
A Hopeful Resolution
21Forsake me not , O Jehovah : O my God , be not far from me . 22Make haste to help me , O Lord , my salvation.