Study Desk

For my crimes have gone over my head; they are like a great weight which is more than my strength.

For my body is full of burning; all my flesh is unhealthy.

My heart goes out in pain, my strength is wasting away; as for the light of my eyes, it is gone from me.

Those who have a desire to take my life put nets for me; those who are designing my destruction say evil things against me, all the day their minds are full of deceit.

I will make clear my wrongdoing, with sorrow in my heart for my sin.

But they are strong who have hate for me without cause: those who are against me falsely are increased in numbers.

They give me back evil for good; they are my haters because I go after the thing which is right.

Truly, every man goes on his way like an image; he is troubled for no purpose: he makes a great store of wealth, and has no knowledge of who will get it.

And now, Lord, what am I waiting for? my hope is in you.

Let my prayer come to your ears, O Lord, and give attention to my cry, make an answer to my weeping: for my time here is short before you, and in a little time I will be gone, like all my fathers.

When I was waiting quietly for the Lord, his heart was turned to me, and he gave ear to my cry.

O Lord my God, great are the wonders which you have done in your thought for us; it is not possible to put them out in order before you; when I would give an account of them, their number is greater than I may say.

You had no desire for offerings of beasts or fruits of the earth; ears you made for me: for burned offerings and sin offerings you made no request.

Take not away your gentle mercies from me, O Lord; let your mercy and your faith keep me safe for ever.

For unnumbered evils are round about me; my sins have overtaken me, so that I am bent down with their weight; they are more than the hairs of my head, my strength is gone because of them.

Let those who go after my soul for its destruction have shame and trouble together; let them be turned back and made foolish who take pleasure in my trouble.

Let all those who are looking for you be glad and have joy in you; let the lovers of your salvation ever say, May the Lord be great.

And as for me, you are my support in my righteousness, giving me a place before your face for ever.

May the Lord God of Israel be praised, through eternal days and for ever. So be it. So be it.

Like the desire of the roe for the water-streams, so is my soul's desire for you, O God.