03_Psalm 38, The Seven Penitential Psalms

Week 3 | Psalm 38 [37]

#letuspray

A Psalm of David, for the memorial offering.

38 O Lord, rebuke me not in thy anger,

    nor chasten me in thy wrath!

2 For thy arrows have sunk into me,

    and thy hand has come down on me.

3 There is no soundness in my flesh

    because of thy indignation;

there is no health in my bones

    because of my sin.

4 For my iniquities have gone over my head;

    they weigh like a burden too heavy for me.

5 My wounds grow foul and fester

    because of my foolishness,

6 I am utterly bowed down and prostrate;

    all the day I go about mourning.

7 For my loins are filled with burning,

    and there is no soundness in my flesh.

8 I am utterly spent and crushed;

    I groan because of the tumult of my heart.

9 Lord, all my longing is known to thee,

    my sighing is not hidden from thee.

10 My heart throbs, my strength fails me;

    and the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me.

11 My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague,

    and my kinsmen stand afar off.

12 Those who seek my life lay their snares,

    those who seek my hurt speak of ruin,

    and meditate treachery all the day long.

13 But I am like a deaf man, I do not hear,

    like a dumb man who does not open his mouth.

14 Yea, I am like a man who does not hear,

    and in whose mouth are no rebukes.

15 But for thee, O Lord, do I wait;

    it is thou, O Lord my God, who wilt answer.

16 For I pray, “Only let them not rejoice over me,

    who boast against me when my foot slips!”

17 For I am ready to fall,

    and my pain is ever with me.

18 I confess my iniquity,

    I am sorry for my sin.

19 Those who are my foes without cause are mighty,

    and many are those who hate me wrongfully.

20 Those who render me evil for good

    are my adversaries because I follow after good.

21 Do not forsake me, O Lord!

    O my God, be not far from me!

22 Make haste to help me,

    O Lord, my salvation!

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Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)

Do you need to make spiritual adjustments to your Lenten penances of prayer, almsgiving, or fasting? How is your own Sabbath/Sunday related to Lenten penance? What steps can you take to make Sunday a more restful, worshipful, holy day for you and your family? 

Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)

What do you want to say to Him about that? Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.

Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)