The Prayer of a Suffering Penitent

381 O Lord , rebuke me not in Your wrath , And chasten me not in Your burning anger . 2 For Your arrows have sunk deep into me, And Your hand has pressed down on me. 3 There is no soundness in my flesh because e of Your indignation ; There is no health in my bones because e of my sin . 4 For my iniquities are gone over my head ; As a heavy burden they weigh too much for me. 5 My wounds grow foul and fester Because e of my folly . 6 I am bent over and greatly bowed down ; I go mourning all day long. 7 For my loins are filled with burning , And there is no soundness in my flesh . 8 I am benumbed and badly crushed ; I groan because of the agitation of my heart . 9 Lord , all my desire is before You; And my sighing is not hidden from You. 10 My heart throbs , my strength fails me; And the light of my eyes , even that has gone from me. 11 My loved ones and my friends stand aloof e from my plague ; And my kinsmen stand afar off.

12 Those who seek my life lay snares for me; And those who seek to injure me have threatened destruction , And they devise treachery all day long. 13 But I, like a deaf man , do not hear ; And I am like a mute man who does not open his mouth . 14 Yes, I am like a man who does not hear , And in whose mouth are no arguments . 15 For I hope in You, O Lord ; You will answer , O Lord my God . 16 For I said , "May they not rejoice over me, Who, when my foot slips , would magnify themselves against me." 17 For I am ready to fall , And my sorrow is continually before me. 18 For I confess my iniquity ; I am full of anxiety because of my sin . 19 But my enemies are vigorous and strong , And many are those who hate me wrongfully . 20 And those who repay evil for good , They oppose me, because I follow what is good . 21 Do not forsake me, O Lord ; O my God , do not be far from me! 22 Make haste to help me, O Lord , my salvation !