8 “Oh, that I might have my request,

that God would grant what I hope for,

9 that God would be willing to crush me,

to let loose his hand and cut off my life!

10 Then I would still have this consolation—

my joy in unrelenting pain—

that I had not denied the words of the Holy One.

11 “What strength do I have, that I should still hope?

What prospects, that I should be patient?

12 Do I have the strength of stone?

Is my flesh bronze?

13 Do I have any power to help myself,

now that success has been driven from me?

8 “Oh that I might have my request,

and that God would fulfill my hope,

9 that it would please God to crush me,

that he would let loose his hand and cut me off!

10 This would be my comfort;

I would even exult in pain unsparing,

for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11 What is my strength, that I should wait?

And what is my end, that I should be patient?

12 Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh bronze?

13 Have I any help in me,

when resource is driven from me?

8 “Oh, that I might have my request,

that God would grant my desire.

9 I wish he would crush me.

I wish he would reach out his hand and kill me.

10 At least I can take comfort in this:

Despite the pain,

I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11 But I don’t have the strength to endure.

I have nothing to live for.

12 Do I have the strength of a stone?

Is my body made of bronze?

13 No, I am utterly helpless,

without any chance of success.

8 “Oh, that I might have my request,

That God would grant me the thing that I long for!

9 That it would please God to crush me,

That He would loose His hand and cut me off!

10 Then I would still have comfort;

Though in anguish I would exult,

He will not spare;

For I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.

11 “What strength do I have, that I should hope?

And what is my end, that I should prolong my life?

12 Is my strength the strength of stones?

Or is my flesh bronze?

13 Is my help not within me?

And is success driven from me?

8 “How I wish that I might have what I ask for

and that God would give me what I hope for.

9 How I wish God would crush me

and reach out his hand to destroy me.

10 Then I would have this comfort

and be glad even in this unending pain,

because I would know I did not reject the words of the Holy One.

11 “I do not have the strength to wait.

There is nothing to hope for,

so why should I be patient?

12 I do not have the strength of stone;

my flesh is not bronze.

13 I have no power to help myself,

because success has been taken away from me.

8 Oh that I might have my request;

And that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

9 Even that it would please God to crush me;

That he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

10 And be it still my consolation,

Yea, let me exult in pain that spareth not,

That I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11 What is my strength, that I should wait?

And what is mine end, that I should be patient?

12 Is my strength the strength of stones?

Or is my flesh of brass?

13 Is it not that I have no help in me,

And that wisdom is driven quite from me?

8 Oh that I might have my request, and that †God would grant my desire! 9 And that it would please †God to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off! 10 Then should I yet have comfort; and in the pain which spareth not I would rejoice that I have not denied the words of the Holy One. 11 What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should have patience? 12 Is my strength the strength of stones? is my flesh of brass? 13 Is it not that there is no help in me, and soundness is driven away from me?

8 “How I wish that my prayer would be answered— 

that God would give me what I’m hoping for, 

9 that God would ⸤finally⸥ be willing to crush me, 

that he would reach out to cut me off. 

10 Then I would still have comfort. 

I would be happy despite my endless pain, 

because I have not rejected the words of the Holy One. 

11 What strength do I have ⸤left⸥ that I can go on hoping? 

What goal do I have that I would want to prolong my life? 

12 Do I have the strength of rocks? 

Does my body have the strength of bronze? 

13 Am I not completely helpless? 

Haven’t my skills been taken away from me? 

8 If only my request would be granted

and God would provide what I hope for:

9 that He would decide to crush me,

to unleash His power and cut me off!

10 It would still bring me comfort,

and I would leap for joy in unrelenting pain

that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11 What strength do I have that I should continue to hope?

What is my future, that I should be patient?

12 Is my strength that of stone,

or my flesh made of bronze?

13 Since I cannot help myself,

the hope for success has been banished from me.

8 “O that I might have my request,

and that God would grant my desire;

9 that it would please God to crush me,

that he would let loose his hand and cut me off!

10 This would be my consolation;

I would even exult in unrelenting pain;

for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11 What is my strength, that I should wait?

And what is my end, that I should be patient?

12 Is my strength the strength of stones,

or is my flesh bronze?

13 In truth I have no help in me,

and any resource is driven from me.

8 “O that my request may come,

and that God may grant my hope,

9 that God would decide that he would crush me,

that he would let loose his hand and kill me.

10 But it will still be my consolation,

and I would recoil in unrelenting pain,

for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11 What is my strength, that I should wait?

And what is my end, that I should hold out?

12 Or is my strength like the strength of stones?

Or is my flesh bronze?

13 Indeed, my help is not in me,

and any success is driven from me.

8 “I wish I could have what I’m asking for!

I wish God would give me what I’m hoping for!

9 I wish he would crush me!

I wish his powerful hand would cut off my life!

10 Then I’d still have one thing to comfort me.

It would be that I haven’t said no to the Holy One’s commands.

That would give me joy in spite of my pain that never ends.

11 “I’m so weak that I no longer have any hope.

Things have gotten so bad that I can’t wait for help anymore.

12 Am I as strong as stone?

Is my body made out of bronze?

13 I don’t have the power to help myself.

All hope of success has been taken away from me.

8 “Oh that my request might come to pass,

And that God would grant my longing!

9 “Would that God were willing to crush me,

That He would loose His hand and cut me off!

10 “But it is still my consolation,

And I rejoice in unsparing pain,

That I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11 “What is my strength, that I should wait?

And what is my end, that I should endure?

12 “Is my strength the strength of stones,

Or is my flesh bronze?

13 “Is it that my help is not within me,

And that deliverance is driven from me?