A Psalm for the Sick

O Lord, in Your anger punish me not;

in Your wrath chastise me not.

For Your arrows have sunk deep in me;

Your hand has come down upon me.

There is no health in my flesh because of Your indignation;

there is no wholeness in my bones because of my sin.

For my iniquities have overwhelmed me;

they are like a heavy burden,

beyond my strength.

Noisome and festering are my sores,

because of my folly.

I am stooped and bowed down profoundly;

all the day I go in mourning.

For my loins are filled with burning pains;

there is no health in my flesh.

I am numbed and severely crushed;

I roar with anguish of heart.

O Lord, all my desire is before You;

from You my groaning is not hid.

My heart throbs,

my strength forsakes me;

the very light of my eyes has failed me.

For I am very near to falling;

and my grief is with me always.

Indeed, I acknowledge my guilt;

I grieve over my sins.

Forsake me not, O Lord,

my God be not far from me!

Make haste to help me,

O Lord, my salvation.

Let me know, O Lord,

my end and what is the number of my days,

that I may learn how frail I am.

A short span You have made my days,

and my life is as nought before You;

only a breath is any human existence.

Hear my prayer, O Lord,

to my cry give ear;

to my weeping be not deaf!

For I am but a wayfarer before You,

a pilgrim like all my fathers.

Turn Your gaze from me that I may find respite,

before I depart and be no more.