1. I am the man who has seen afflictionby the rod of the Lord’s wrath.
2. He has driven me away and made me walkin darkness rather than light;
3. indeed, he has turned his hand against meagain and again, all day long.
4. He has made my skin and my flesh grow oldand has broken my bones.
5. He has besieged me and surrounded mewith bitterness and hardship.
6. He has made me dwell in darknesslike those long dead.
7. He has walled me in so that 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.
10. Like a bear lying in wait,like a lion in hiding,
11. he dragged me from the path and mangled meand left me without help.
12. He drew his bowand made me the target for his arrows.
13. He pierced my heartwith arrows from his quiver.
14. I became the laughing-stock of all my people;they mock me in song all day long.
15. He has filled me with bitter herbsand given me gall to drink.
16. He has broken my teeth with gravel;he has trampled me in the dust.