³ When my spirit grows faint^(F) within me,
    it is you who watch over my way.
In the path where I walk
    people have hidden a snare for me.
⁴ Look and see, there is no one at my right hand;
    no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;^(G)
    no one cares^(H) for my life.

⁵ I cry to you, Lord;
    I say, “You are my refuge,^(I)
    my portion^(J) in the land of the living.”^(K)

⁶ Listen to my cry,^(L)
    for I am in desperate need;^(M)
rescue me^(N) from those who pursue me,
    for they are too strong^(O) for me.
⁷ Set me free from my prison,^(P)
    that I may praise your name.^(Q)
Then the righteous will gather about me
    because of your goodness to me.^(R)

¹⁰ Alas, my mother, that you gave me birth,^(A)
    a man with whom the whole land strives and contends!^(B)
I have neither lent^(C) nor borrowed,
    yet everyone curses^(D) me.

“Surely I will deliver you^(E) for a good purpose;
    surely I will make your enemies plead^(F) with you
    in times of disaster and times of distress.

¹² “Can a man break iron—
    iron from the north^(G)—or bronze?

¹³ “Your wealth^(H) and your treasures
    I will give as plunder,^(I) without charge,^(J)
because of all your sins
    throughout your country.^(K)
14 I will enslave you to your enemies
    in^[a] a land you do not know,^(L)
for my anger will kindle a fire^(M)
    that will burn against you.”

¹⁵ Lord, you understand;
    remember me and care for me.
    Avenge me on my persecutors.^(N)
You are long-suffering^(O)—do not take me away;
    think of how I suffer reproach for your sake.^(P)
16 When your words came, I ate^(Q) them;
    they were my joy and my heart’s delight,^(R)
for I bear your name,^(S)
    Lord God Almighty.
¹⁷ I never sat^(T) in the company of revelers,
    never made merry with them;
I sat alone because your hand^(U) was on me
    and you had filled me with indignation.
¹⁸ Why is my pain unending
    and my wound grievous and incurable?^(V)
You are to me like a deceptive brook,
    like a spring that fails.^(W)

“If you repent, I will restore you
    that you may serve^(X) me;
if you utter worthy, not worthless, words,
    you will be my spokesman.^(Y)
Let this people turn to you,
    but you must not turn to them.
²⁰ I will make you a wall^(Z) to this people,
    a fortified wall of bronze;
they will fight against you
    but will not overcome^(AA) you,
for I am with you
    to rescue and save you,”^(AB)
declares the Lord.
²¹ “I will save^(AC) you from the hands of the wicked^(AD)
    and deliver^(AE) you from the grasp of the cruel.”^(AF)