A Penitent's Distress
Psalms 37
Marked for remembrance concerning the Sabbath, this psalm is a prayer under the weight of divine chastening for sin, describing bodily affliction, wounds, and grief so heavy that friends and kin stand at a distance. The psalmist remains silent before those who mock him, confesses his iniquity, and pleads with the Lord not to forsake him.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
Thomson—
BrentonA Psalm of David for remembrance concerning the Sabbath-day.
GreekΦαλμὸς τῷ Δαυὶδ εἰς ἀνάμνησιν περὶ σαββάτου.
KJV—
JPSA Psalm of David, to make memorial.
2
ThomsonO LORD, rebuke me not in Thy wrath; nor chasten me in Thine anger.
BrentonO Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath, neither chasten me in thine anger.
GreekΚύριε, μὴ τῷ θυμῷ σου ἐλέγξῃς με, μηδὲ τῇ ὀργῇ σου παιδεύσῃς με.
KJVO LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
JPSO LORD, rebuke me not in Thine anger; neither chasten me in Thy wrath.
3
ThomsonFor in me Thy shafts are deeply fixed—and on me Thou hast heavily laid Thy hand.
BrentonFor thy weapons are fixed in me, and thou hast pressed thy hand heavily upon me.
GreekὍτι τὰ βέλη σου ἐνεπάγησάν μοι, καὶ ἐπεστήριξας ἐπʼ ἐμὲ τὴν χεῖρά σου.
KJV—
JPSFor Thine arrows are gone deep into me, and Thy hand is come down upon me.
4
ThomsonThere is no soundness in my flesh because of Thine anger—no rest to my bones, because of my sins.
BrentonFor there is no health in my flesh because of thine anger; there is no peace to my bones because of my sins.
GreekΟὐκ ἔστιν ἴασις ἐν τῇ σαρκί μου ἀπὸ προσώπου τῆς ὀργῆς σου, οὐκ ἔστιν εἰρήνη τοῖς ὀστέοις μου ἀπὸ προσώπου τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν μου.
KJVThere is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.
JPSThere is no soundness in my flesh because of Thine indignation; neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin.
5
ThomsonBecause mine iniquities mounted above my head; like a heavy burden they were heavy on me.
BrentonFor my transgressions have gone over mine head: they have pressed heavily upon me like a weighty burden.
GreekὍτι αἱ ἀνομίαι μου ὑπερῇραν τὴν κεφαλήν μου, ὡσεὶ φορτίον βαρὺ ἐβαρύνθησαν ἐπʼ ἐμέ.
KJVFor mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
JPSFor mine iniquities are gone over my head; as a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
6
Thomson—
BrentonMy bruises have become noisome and corrupt, because of my foolishness.
GreekΠροσώζεσαν καὶ ἐσάπησαν οἱ μώλωπές μου, ἀπὸ προσώπου τῆς ἀφροσύνης μου.
KJVMy wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.
JPSMy wounds are noisome, they fester, because of my foolishness.
7
ThomsonI was in misery and wholly bent down: all the longsome day I went mourning.
BrentonI have been wretched and bowed down continually: I went with a mourning countenance all the day.
GreekἘταλαιπώρησα καὶ κατεκάμφθην ἕως τέλους, ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν σκυθρωπάζων ἐπορευόμην.
KJVI am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.
JPSI am bent and bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day.
8
ThomsonFor my soul was filled with illusions; and there was no soundness in my flesh.
BrentonFor my soul is filled with mockings; and there is no health in my flesh.
GreekὍτι ἡ ψυχή μου ἐπλησθη ἐμπαιγμῶν, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἴασις ἐν τῇ σαρκί μου.
KJVFor my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh.
JPSFor my loins are filled with burning; and there is no soundness in my flesh.
9
ThomsonI was afflicted and exceedingly depressed: I roared because of the groans of my heart.
BrentonI have been afflicted and brought down exceedingly: I have roared for the groaning of my heart.
GreekἘκακώθην καὶ ἐταπεινώθην ἕως σφόδρα, ὠρυόμην ἀπὸ στεναγμοῦ τῆς καρδίας μου.
KJVI am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.
JPS—
10
ThomsonNow all my desire was before Thee, and my groans were not hid from Thee.
BrentonBut all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hidden from thee.
GreekΚαὶ ἐναντίον σου πᾶσα ἡ ἐπιθυμία μου, καὶ ὁ στεναγμός μου οὐκ ἀπεκρύβη ἀπὸ σοῦ.
KJVLord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.
JPSLord, all my desire is before Thee; and my sighing is not hid from Thee.
11
ThomsonMy heart panted, my strength failed me: and the light of mine eyes is no more with me.
BrentonMy heart is troubled, my strength has failed me; and the light of mine eyes is not with me.
GreekἩ καρδία μου ἐταράχθη, ἐγκατέλιπέ με ἡ ἰσχύς μου, καὶ τὸ φῶς τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν μου οὐκ ἔστι μετʼ ἐμοῦ.
KJVMy heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.
JPSMy heart fluttereth, my strength faileth me; as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.
12
ThomsonMy friends and my neighbours stood over against me: they drew near and stopped—even my near relations stood aloof.
BrentonMy friends and my neighbours drew near before me, and stood still; and my nearest of kin stood afar off.
GreekΟἱ φίλοι μου καὶ οἱ πλησίον μου ἐξ ἐναντίας μου ἤγγισαν καὶ ἔστησαν, καὶ οἱ ἔγγιστά μου μακρόθεν ἔστησαν,
KJVMy lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.
JPSMy friends and my companions stand aloof from my plague; and my kinsmen stand afar off.
13
ThomsonBut they who seek my life pressed forward: and they who seek my ruin spake vanities. All the day long they studied deceits.
BrentonWhile they pressed hard upon me that sought my soul: and they that sought my hurt spoke vanities, and devised deceits all the day.
Greekκαὶ ἐξεβιάζοντο οἱ ζητοῦντες τὴν ψυχήν μου· καὶ οἱ ζητοῦντες τὰ κακά μοι ἐλάλησαν ματαιότητας, καὶ δολιότητας ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν ἐμελέτησαν.
KJVThey also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.
JPSThey also that seek after my life lay snares for me; and they that seek my hurt speak crafty devices, and utter deceits all the day.
14
ThomsonAs for me, I, as if deaf, did not hear: and like one dumb I opened not my mouth.
BrentonBut I, as a deaf man, heard not; and was as a dumb man not opening his mouth.
GreekἘγὼ δὲ ὡσεὶ κωφὸς οὐκ ἤκουον, καὶ ὡσεὶ ἄλαλος οὐκ ἀνοίγων τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ·
KJVBut I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.
JPSBut I am as a deaf man, I hear not; and I am as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.
15
ThomsonI became indeed like a man who heareth not; and in whose mouth there are no reproofs;
BrentonAnd I was as a man that hears not, and who has no reproofs in his mouth.
GreekΚαὶ ἐγενόμην ὡσεὶ ἄνθρωπος οὐκ ἀκούων, καὶ οὐκ ἔχων ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ ἐλεγμούς.
KJVThus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs.
JPSYea, I am become as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no arguments.
16
Thomsonfor in Thee, O Lord, I put my trust. (Thou, O Lord my God, wilt hearken—)
BrentonFor I hoped in thee, O Lord: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.
GreekὍτι ἐπὶ σοὶ Κύριε ἤλπισα, σὺ εἰσακούσῃ Κύριε ὁ Θεός μου.
KJVFor in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.
JPSFor in Thee, O LORD, do I hope; Thou wilt answer, O Lord my God.
17
Thomsonfor I said, Perhaps mine enemies may rejoice over me: (Indeed when my feet slipped, they used swelling words against me)
BrentonFor I said, Lest mine enemies rejoice against me: for when my feet were moved, they spoke boastingly against me.
GreekὍτι εἶπα, μή ποτε ἐπιχαρῶσί μοι οἱ ἐχθροί μου, καὶ ἐν τῷ σαλευθῆναι πόδας μου, ἐπʼ ἐμὲ ἐμεγαλοῤῥημόνησαν.
KJVFor I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.
JPSFor I said: 'Lest they rejoice over me; when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.'
18
Thomsonfor I was prepared for stripes, and my sorrowful situation was continually before me;
BrentonFor I am ready for plagues, and my grief is continually before me.
GreekὍτι ἐγὼ εἰς μάστιγας ἕτοιμος, καὶ ἡ ἀλγηδών μου ἐνώπιόν μου διαπαντός.
KJVFor I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me.
JPSFor I am ready to halt, and my pain is continually before me.
19
Thomsonthat I might declare mine iniquity, and express my sorrow for my sin.
BrentonFor I will declare mine iniquity, and be distressed for my sin.
GreekὍτι τὴν ἀνομίαν μου ἀναγγελῶ, καὶ μεριμνήσω ὑπὲρ τῆς ἁμαρτίας μου.
KJVFor I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.
JPSFor I do declare mine iniquity; I am full of care because of my sin.
20
ThomsonBut as for mine enemies they live and are stronger than I: and they who hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
BrentonBut mine enemies live, and are mightier than I: and they that hate me unjustly are multiplied.
GreekΟἱ δὲ ἐχθροί μου ζῶσι, καὶ κεκραταίωνται ὑπὲρ ἐμὲ, καὶ ἐπληθύνθησαν οἱ μισοῦντές με ἀδίκως.
KJVBut mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
JPSBut mine enemies are strong in health; and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
21
ThomsonThey who reward me evil for good, traduced me: because I followed righteousness.
BrentonThey that reward evil for good slandered me; because I followed righteousness.
GreekΟἱ ἀνταποδιδόντες κακὰ ἀντὶ ἀγαθῶν, ἐνδιέβαλλόν με, ἐπεὶ κατεδίωκον δικαιοσύνην.
KJVThey also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.
JPSThey also that repay evil for good are adversaries unto me, because I follow the thing that is good.
22
ThomsonForsake me not utterly, O Lord, my God: stand not at a distance from me.
BrentonForsake me not, O Lord my God: depart not from me.
GreekΜὴ ἐγκαταλίπῃς με Κύριε ὁ Θεός μου, μὴ ἀποστῇς ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ.
KJVForsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.
JPSForsake me not, O LORD; O my God, be not far from me.
23
ThomsonDraw near to my assistance, O Lord of my salvation.
BrentonDraw nigh to my help, O Lord of my salvation.
GreekΠρόσχες εἰς τὴν βοήθειάν μου Κύριε τῆς σωτηρίας μου.
KJVMake haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.
JPSMake haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation.