¹⁸ For the grave^(A) cannot praise you,
    death cannot sing your praise;^(B)
those who go down to the pit^(C)
    cannot hope for your faithfulness.

⁷ “At least there is hope for a tree:^(A)
    If it is cut down, it will sprout again,
    and its new shoots^(B) will not fail.^(C)
8 Its roots may grow old in the ground
    and its stump^(D) die in the soil,
⁹ yet at the scent of water^(E) it will bud
    and put forth shoots like a plant.^(F)
10 But a man dies and is laid low;^(G)
    he breathes his last and is no more.^(H)
11 As the water of a lake dries up
    or a riverbed becomes parched and dry,^(I)
12 so he lies down and does not rise;^(J)
    till the heavens are no more,^(K) people will not awake
    or be roused from their sleep.^(L)

²¹ Yet this I call to mind
    and therefore I have hope:

²² Because of the Lord’s great love^(A) we are not consumed,^(B)
    for his compassions never fail.^(C)

⁸ For what hope have the godless^(A) when they are cut off,
    when God takes away their life?^(B)