Sep 29, 2021
3 [a]I
am the man who has seen affliction
by the rod of the Lord’s wrath.
2 He has driven me away and made me
walk
in darkness rather than
light;
3 indeed, he has turned his hand against
me
again and again, all day long.
4 He has made my
skin and my flesh grow old
and has broken my bones.
5 He has besieged me and surrounded
me
with bitterness and hardship.
6 He has made me dwell in darkness
like those long dead.
7 He has walled me
in so I cannot escape;
he has weighed me down with
chains.
8 Even when I call out or cry for
help,
he shuts out my prayer.
9 He has barred my way with blocks of
stone;
he has made my paths crooked.
19 I remember my
affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.
20 I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within
me.
21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
22 Because of
the Lord’s great love we
are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in
him,
to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.
27 It is good for a man to bear the
yoke
while he is young.
28 Let him sit
alone in silence,
for the Lord has laid it on him.
29 Let him bury his face in the
dust—
there may yet be hope.
30 Let him offer his cheek to one who would
strike him,
and let him be filled with
disgrace.
31 For no one is
cast off
by the Lord forever.
32 Though he brings grief, he will show
compassion,
so great is his unfailing love.
33 For he does not willingly bring
affliction
or grief to anyone.