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v1

I am a man who has seen misery, under the rod of his wrath.

v2

He has driven me along, he brought darkness and not light.

v3

Surely he has turned his hand against me, all day long.

v4

He has worn out my flesh and skin, he has broken my bones.

v5

He has besieged ^[Literally “he has built against”] and engulfed me with bitterness and hardship.

v6

In darkness he has let me dwell like the dead of long ago.

v7

He has built a wall around me, I cannot go out; he has made my bronze fetters heavy.

v8

Though I cry out for help, he shuts out my prayers.

v9

He has blocked my ways with dressed stones; he has made my paths crooked.

v10

To me he is like a bear lying in wait, a lion in hiding.

v11

He has forsaken my way and torn me to pieces; he has caused me desolation.

v12

He has bent his bow and set me as the target for the arrow.

v13

He shot the arrows of his quiver ^[Literally “the offspring of his arrow quiver”] into my kidneys.

v14

I have become a laughingstock for all the people, their mocking song all day long.

v15

He has filled me with bitterness, he has drenched me with wormwood.

v16

He has broken my teeth on grit, he has trampled me down in ash.

v17

My life has been removed from peace, I have forgotten goodness.

v18

And I have said, “My glory is ruined, my expectation from Yahweh.”

v19

Remember my misery and bitterness, the wormwood ^[Or “the bitter substance”] and venom!

v20

Surely my soul remembers and bows down within me.

v21

This I have reminded myself, ^[Literally “I have brought back to my heart”] therefore I will hope.

v22

The loyal love of Yahweh does not cease; his compassions do not come to an end.

v23

They are new in the morning, great is your faithfulness.

v24

“Yahweh is my portion,” says my soul, “Thus I will hope on him.”

v25

Yahweh is good to those who wait on him, to the person that seeks him.

v26

It is good to wait in silence for the salvation of Yahweh.

v27

It is good for a man who carries the yoke of his childhood.

v28

Let him sit alone and be silent when he ^[Yahweh] has laid it on him.

v29

Let him put ^[Literally “him give”] his mouth in the dust; perhaps there is hope.

v30

Let him give a cheek to his smiter, let him be filled with disgrace.

v31

For the Lord will not reject forever.

v32

For even though he causes grief he has compassion according to the greatness of his royal love.

v33

He does not afflict willingly, ^[Literally “afflict from the heart”] or grieve anyone. ^[Literally “the sons of men”]

v34

To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth;

v35

to deprive one of justice ^[Literally “to turn aside the judgment of a man”] before the face of the Most High;

v36

to subvert a person in a legal dispute —the Lord has not found delight in these things.

v37

Who can speak ^[Literally “Who is this that speaks”] and it will happen if the Lord has not commanded it?

v38

Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that disaster and good will come?

v39

Why should any living person complain about his sin?

v40

Let us test and examine our ways; let us return to Yahweh.

v41

Let us lift up our hearts with our hands to God in the heavens.

v42

We ourselves have transgressed and rebelled, you have not forgiven.

v43

You have covered yourself in anger ^[Literally “in the nose”] and pursued us, you have slain and not shown mercy.

v44

You have covered yourself in a cloud so that prayer cannot pass through. ^[Literally “from a passing prayer”]

v45

You have made us scum and refuse in the midst of the nations.

v46

All our enemies have opened their mouth against us.

v47

Fear and a pit have come upon us, desolation and destruction.

v48

Channels of water run down my eyes because of the destruction of the daughter of my people.

v49

My eyes have poured down unceasingly without respite,

v50

until Yahweh looks down and sees from heaven.

v51

My eyes inflict my soul because of all the daughters of my city.

v52

My enemies hunt me without cause, like a bird.

v53

They have silenced me in a pit, ^[Literally “they have put to silence my life in a pit”] they have thrown a stone at me.

v54

Water has flown over my head, I said, “I am cut off.”

v55

I have called your name, O Yahweh, from the depths of the pit.

v56

You have heard my cry, “Do not shut your ear to my cry for help, for my relief!“

v57

You came near on a day when I called you, you said, “Do not fear!“

v58

O Lord, you have pleaded for my cause, ^[Literally “the legal disputes of my soul”] you have redeemed my life.

v59

You have seen my injustice, O Yahweh; judge my case.

v60

You have seen all their vengeance, all there plans against me.

v61

You have heard their disgrace, O Yahweh, all their plans against me.

v62

The lips and meditation of my assailants are against me all day long.

v63

Look at their sitting and their standing, I am their mocking song.

v64

Return to them what is deserved, O Yahweh, according to the work of their hands.

v65

Give them a stubborn heart; curse them!

v66

Pursue them in anger ^[Literally “in nose”] and destroy them from under the heavens of Yahweh.