⁹ Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress;^(A)
    my eyes grow weak with sorrow,^(B)
    my soul and body^(C) with grief.

⁷ My eyes grow weak^(A) with sorrow;
    they fail because of all my foes.

⁹     my eyes^(A) are dim with grief.

I call^(B) to you, Lord, every day;
    I spread out my hands^(C) to you.

¹⁷ Because of this our hearts^(A) are faint,^(B)
    because of these things our eyes^(C) grow dim^(D)

¹⁷ Moreover, our eyes failed,
    looking in vain^(A) for help;^(B)
from our towers we watched
    for a nation^(C) that could not save us.

¹⁰ Some sat in darkness,^(A) in utter darkness,
    prisoners suffering^(B) in iron chains,^(C)

³ For my days vanish like smoke;^(A)
    my bones^(B) burn like glowing embers.
⁴ My heart is blighted and withered like grass;^(C)
    I forget to eat my food.^(D)
5 In my distress I groan aloud^(E)
    and am reduced to skin and bones.

³ I am overwhelmed with troubles^(A)
    and my life draws near to death.^(B)
4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit;^(C)
    I am like one without strength.^(D)
5 I am set apart with the dead,
    like the slain who lie in the grave,
whom you remember no more,
    who are cut off^(E) from your care.

²⁶ My flesh and my heart^(A) may fail,^(B)
    but God is the strength^(C) of my heart
    and my portion^(D) forever.