[1] O Lord, don't punish me while you are angry! [2] Your arrows have struck deep; your blows are crushing me. [3] Because of your anger, my body is sick, my health is broken beneath my sins. They are like a flood, higher than my head; they are a burden too heavy to bear. [5] My wounds are festering and full of pus. Because of my sins, I am bent and racked with pain. My days are filled with anguish. [7] My loins burn with inflammation, and my whole body is diseased. [8] I am exhausted and crushed; I groan in despair. [9] Lord, you know how I long for my health once more. You hear my every sigh. [10] My heart beats wildly, my strength fails, and I am going blind. [11] My loved ones and friends stay away, fearing my disease. Even my own family stands at a distance. [12] Meanwhile my enemies are trying to kill me. They plot my ruin and spend all their waking hours planning treachery. [13] But I am deaf to all their threats; I am silent before them as a man who cannot speak. I have nothing to say. [15] For I am waiting for you, O Lord my God. Come and protect me. [16] Put an end to their arrogance, these who gloat when I am cast down! [17] How constantly I find myself upon the verge of sin; this source of sorrow always stares me in the face. [18] I confess my sins; I am sorry for what I have done. [19] But my enemies persecute with vigor and continue to hate me-though I have done nothing against them to deserve it. [20] They repay me evil for good and hate me for standing for the right. [21] Don't leave me, Lord; don't go away! [22] Come quickly! Help me, O my Savior.
