Study Desk

lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed over him," lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

I call upon the Lord , who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people.

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast;

Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.

The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

Be gracious to me, O Lord , for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also.

I had said in my alarm, "I am cut off from your sight." But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help.

Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers! Say to my soul, "I am your salvation!"

I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.

I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; all the day I go about mourning.

I am feeble and crushed; I groan because of the tumult of my heart.

But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear, like a mute man who does not open his mouth.

For I am ready to fall, and my pain is ever before me.

I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin.

"O Lord , make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!

I am mute; I do not open my mouth, for it is you who have done it.

Remove your stroke from me; I am spent by the hostility of your hand.

"Hear my prayer, O Lord , and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears! For I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like all my fathers.

Look away from me, that I may smile again, before I depart and am no more!"