✧1I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. ✧2He hath led me and caused me to walk in darkness, and not in light. ✧3Surely against me he turneth his hand again and again all the day. ✧4My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones. ✧5He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail. ✧6He hath made me to dwell in dark places, as those that have been long dead. ✧7He hath walled me about, that I cannot go forth; he hath made my chain heavy. ✧8Yea, when I cry, and call for help, he shutteth out my prayer. ✧9He hath walled up my ways with hewn stone; he hath made my paths crooked.
American Standard Version (ASV). American Standard Version (1901). Public domain.
✧10He is unto me as a bear lying in wait, as a lion in secret places.
✧11He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces; he hath made me desolate.
✧12He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.
✧13He hath caused the shafts of his quiver to enter into my reins.
✧14I am become a derision to all my people, and their song all the day.
✧15He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath sated me with wormwood.
✧16He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones; he hath covered me with ashes.
✧17And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace; I forgat prosperity.
✧18And I said, My strength is perished, and mine expectation from Jehovah.
✧19Remember mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
✧20My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is bowed down within me.
✧21This I recall to my mind; therefore have I hope.
✧22[It is of] Jehovah’s lovingkindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
✧23They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.
✧24Jehovah is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
✧25Jehovah is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
✧26It is good that a man should hope and quietly wait for the salvation of Jehovah.
✧27It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.
✧28Let him sit alone and keep silence, because he hath laid it upon him.
✧29Let him put his mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope.
✧30Let him give his cheek to him that smiteth him; let him be filled full with reproach.