HOPE THROUGH GOD’S MERCY

א Aleph

3 I am the man who has seen affliction

under the rod of God’s wrath.

2 He has driven me away and forced me to walk

in darkness instead of light.t

3 Yes, he repeatedly turns his hand

against me all day long.

ב Beth

4 He has worn away my flesh and skin;u

he has broken my bones.v

5 He has laid siege against me,w

encircling me with bitterness and hardship.x

6 He has made me dwell in darkness

like those who have been dead for ages.y

ג Gimel

7 He has walled me in so I cannot get out;a

he has weighed me down with chains.

8 Even when I cry out and plead for help,

he blocks out my prayer.b

9 He has walled in my ways with blocks of stone;c

he has made my paths crooked.d