3 ^[a]I am the man who has seen affliction^(A)
    by the rod of the Lord’s wrath.^(B)
2 He has driven me away and made me walk
    in darkness^(C) rather than light;
³ indeed, he has turned his hand against me^(D)
    again and again, all day long.

⁴ He has made my skin and my flesh grow old^(E)
    and has broken my bones.^(F)
5 He has besieged me and surrounded me
    with bitterness^(G) and hardship.^(H)
6 He has made me dwell in darkness
    like those long dead.^(I)

⁷ He has walled me in so I cannot escape;^(J)
    he has weighed me down with chains.^(K)
8 Even when I call out or cry for help,^(L)
    he shuts out my prayer.^(M)
9 He has barred^(N) my way with blocks of stone;
    he has made my paths crooked.^(O)