Study Desk

"Do not mortals have hard service^(a) on earth?^(b) Are not their days like those of hired laborers?^(c)

Like a slave longing for the evening shadows,^(d) or a hired laborer waiting to be paid,^(e)

so I have been allotted months of futility, and nights of misery have been assigned to me.^(f)

When I lie down I think, ‘How long before I get up?'^(g) The night drags on, and I toss and turn until dawn.^(h)

My body is clothed with worms⁽ⁱ⁾ and scabs, my skin is broken and festering.^(j)

"My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle,^(k) and they come to an end without hope.^(l)

Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath;^(m) my eyes will never see happiness again.⁽ⁿ⁾

The eye that now sees me will see me no longer; you will look for me, but I will be no more.^(o)

As a cloud vanishes^(p) and is gone, so one who goes down to the grave^(q) does not return.^(r)

He will never come to his house again; his place^(s) will know him no more.^(t)

"Therefore I will not keep silent;^(u) I will speak out in the anguish^(v) of my spirit, I will complain^(w) in the bitterness of my soul.^(x)

Am I the sea,^(y) or the monster of the deep,^(z) that you put me under guard?^(aa)

When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint,^(ab)

even then you frighten me with dreams and terrify^(ac) me with visions,^(ad)

so that I prefer strangling and death,^(ae) rather than this body of mine.^(af)

I despise my life;^(ag) I would not live forever.^(ah) Let me alone;^(ai) my days have no meaning.^(aj)

"What is mankind that you make so much of them, that you give them so much attention,^(ak)

that you examine them every morning^(al) and test them^(am) every moment?^(an)

Will you never look away from me,^(ao) or let me alone even for an instant?^(ap)

If I have sinned, what have I done to you,^(aq) you who see everything we do? Why have you made me your target?^(ar) Have I become a burden to you?^[a](as)

Why do you not pardon my offenses and forgive my sins?^(at) For I will soon lie down in the dust;^(au) you will search for me, but I will be no more."^(av)