Study Desk

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, A reproach of men 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 me.

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

The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.

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

I am forgotten as a dead man, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel.

As for me, I said in my alarm, "I am cut off from before Your eyes"; Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications When I cried to You.

Draw also the spear and the battle-axe to meet those who pursue me; Say to my soul, "I am your salvation."

I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread.

I am bent over and greatly bowed down; I go mourning all day long.

I am benumbed and badly crushed; I groan because of the agitation of my heart.

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

Yes, I am like a man who does not hear, And in whose mouth are no arguments.

For I am ready to fall, And my sorrow is continually before me.

For I confess my iniquity; I am full of anxiety because of my sin.

" Lord , make me to know my end And what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am.

"Remove Your plague from me; Because of the opposition of Your hand I am perishing.

"Hear my prayer, O Lord , and give ear to my cry; Do not be silent at my tears; For I am a stranger with You, A sojourner like all my fathers.

"Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may smile again Before I depart and am no more."