1O LORD , 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 anger ; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin . 4For mine iniquities are gone over mine head : as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
Physical and Emotional Distress
5My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness . 6I am troubled ; I am bowed down greatly ; I go mourning all the day long. 7For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh . 8I am feeble and sore broken : I have roared 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 panteth , 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 sore ; 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 imagine deceits all the day long. 13But I, as a deaf man , heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth . 14Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs . 15For in thee, O LORD , do I hope : thou wilt hear , O Lord my God .
The Reality of Enemies
16For I said , Hear me , lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth , they magnify themselves against me. 17For I am ready to halt , 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 they are strong : and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied . 20They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries ; because I follow the thing that good is .
A Hopeful Resolution
21Forsake me not, O LORD : O my God , be not far from me. 22Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation .