[1] LORD, don't criticize me when you are angry. Don't discipline me in anger. [2] You have hurt me. You punished me and hurt me deeply. [3] You punished me severely, so my whole body is sore. I sinned, and now all my bones hurt. [4] My guilt is like a heavy burden. I am sinking beneath its weight. [5] I did a foolish thing, and now I have infected sores that stink. [6] I am bent and bowed down. I am depressed all day long. [7] I am burning with fever, and my whole body hurts. [8] I hurt so much I cannot feel anything. My pounding heart makes me scream! [9] My Lord, you heard my groaning. You can hear my sighs. [10] My heart is pounding. My strength is gone, and I am going blind. [11] Because of my sickness, my friends and neighbors will not visit me; my family will not come near me. [12] My enemies say bad things about me. They are spreading lies and rumors. They talk about me all the time. [13] But I am like a deaf man and cannot hear. I am like someone who cannot speak. [14] I am like those who cannot hear what people are saying about them. I cannot answer to prove my enemies wrong. [15] LORD, you must defend me. Lord my God, you must speak for me. [16] That's why I prayed, "Don't let my enemies smile at my pain. Full of pride, they will laugh if I stumble and fall." [17] I know I am guilty of doing wrong. I cannot forget my pain. [18] Lord, I told you about the evil I have done. I am sorry for my sin. [19] But my enemies are alive and healthy, and they have told many lies. [20] I did nothing but good, and they paid me back with evil. I try to do what is right, but that only makes them turn against me. [21] LORD, don't leave me. My God, stay close to me. [22] Come quickly and help me. My Lord, you are the one who saves me.
