¹⁷ “What are people, that you should make so much of us,
    that you should think of us so often?

⁴ what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
    human beings that you should care for them?^[a]

“What are mere mortals that you should think about them,
    or a son of man^[a] that you should care for him?

³ O Lord, what are human beings that you should notice them,
    mere mortals that you should think about them?

¹⁴ If God were to take back his spirit
    and withdraw his breath,
¹⁵ all life would cease,
    and humanity would turn again to dust.

¹² Am I a sea monster or a dragon
    that you must place me under guard?