If only my request would be granted
and God would provide what I hope for:
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[a] the words of the Holy One.(A)

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.

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Footnotes

  1. 6:10 Lit hidden

“Oh, that I might have my request,
    that God would grant what I hope for,(A)
that God would be willing to crush(B) me,
    to let loose his hand and cut off my life!(C)
10 Then I would still have this consolation(D)
    my joy in unrelenting pain(E)
    that I had not denied the words(F) of the Holy One.(G)

11 “What strength do I have, that I should still hope?
    What prospects, that I should be patient?(H)
12 Do I have the strength of stone?
    Is my flesh bronze?(I)
13 Do I have any power to help myself,(J)
    now that success has been driven from me?

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