Psalm 38
1O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger; *
do not punish me in your wrath.
2For your arrows have already pierced me, *
and your hand presses hard upon me.
3There is no health in my flesh,
because of your indignation; *
there is no soundness in my body, because of my sin.
4For my iniquities overwhelm me; *
like a heavy burden they are too much for me to bear.
5My wounds stink and fester *
by reason of my foolishness.
6I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; *
I go about in mourning all the day long.
7My loins are filled with searing pain; *
there is no health in my body.
8I am utterly numb and crushed; *
I wail, because of the groaning of my heart.
9O Lord, you know all my desires, *
and my sighing is not hidden from you.
10My heart is pounding, my strength has failed me, *
and the brightness of my eyes is gone from me.
11My friends and companions draw back from my affliction; *
my neighbors stand afar off.
12Those who seek after my life lay snares for me; *
those who strive to hurt me speak of my ruin
and plot treachery all the day long.
13But I am like the deaf who do not hear, *
like those who are mute and who do not open their mouth.
14I have become like one who does not hear *
and from whose mouth comes no defense.
15For in you, O LORD, have I fixed my hope; *
you will answer me, O Lord my God.
16For I said, “Do not let them rejoice at my expense, *
those who gloat over me when my foot slips.”
17Truly, I am on the verge of falling, *
and my pain is always with me.
18I will confess my iniquity *
and be sorry for my sin.
19Those who are my enemies without cause are mighty, *
and many in number are those who wrongfully hate me.
20Those who repay evil for good slander me, *
because I follow the course that is right.
21O LORD, do not forsake me; *
be not far from me, O my God.
22Make haste to help me, *
O Lord of my salvation.
A Prayer for the President of the United States and all in Civil Authority
O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world: We commend this nation to your merciful care, that, being guided by your Providence, we may dwell secure in your peace. Grant to the President of the United States, the Governor of this State (or, Commonwealth), and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do your will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in your fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
