1 I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. |
2 He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light. |
3 Surely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand against me all the day. |
4 My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones. |
5 He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail. |
6 He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old. |
7 He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy. |
8 Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer. |
9 He hath inclosed my ways with hewn stone, he hath made my paths crooked. |
10 He was unto me as a bear lying in wait, and as a lion in secret places. |
11 He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces: he hath made me desolate. |
12 He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow. |
13 He hath caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins. |
14 I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day. |
15 He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood. |
16 He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes. |
17 And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity. |
18 And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD: |
19 Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. |
20 My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. |
21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. |
22 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. |
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. |
24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. |
