1 My soul is weary of my life; I will give free course to my complaint; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- My soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
- is weary H5354 (נָקַט) — to loathe
- of my life H2416 (חַי) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing),…
- I will leave H5800 (עָזַב) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc.
- my complaint H7879 (שִׂיחַ) — a contemplation; by implication, an utterance
- upon myself; I will speak H1696 (דָבַר) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
- in the bitterness H4751 (מַר) — bitter (literally or figuratively); also (as noun) bitterness, or (adverbially) bitterly
- of my soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
2 I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; Show me wherefore thou contendest with me.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- I will say H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
- unto God H433 (אֱלוֹהַּ) — a deity or the Deity
- Do not condemn H7561 (רָשַׁע) — to be (causatively, do or declare) wrong; by implication, to disturb, violate
- me; shew H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
- me wherefore thou contendest H7378 (רִיב) — properly, to toss, i.e. grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend
3 Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, That thou shouldest despise the work of thy hands, And shine upon the counsel of the wicked?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- good H2895 (טוֹב) — to be (transitively, do or make) good (or well) in the widest sense
- unto thee that thou shouldest oppress H6231 (עָשַׁק) — to press upon, i.e. oppress, defraud, violate, overflow
- that thou shouldest despise H3988 (מָאַס) — to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear
- the work H3018 (יְגִיעַ) — toil; hence, a work, produce, property (as the result of labor)
- of thine hands H3709 (כַּף) — the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree); fig…
- and shine H3313 (יָפַע) — to shine
- upon the counsel H6098 (עֵצָה) — advice; by implication, plan; also prudence
- of the wicked H7563 (רָשָׁע) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
4 Hast thou eyes of flesh? Or seest thou as man seeth?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Hast thou eyes H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
- of flesh H1320 (בָּשָׂר) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
- or seest H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- thou as man H582 (אֱנוֹשׁ) — properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified 120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
- seeth H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
5 Are thy days as the days of man, Or thy years as man’s days,Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- thy days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- as the days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- of man H582 (אֱנוֹשׁ) — properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified 120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
- thy years H8141 (שָׁנֶה) — a year (as a revolution of time)
- as man’s H1397 (גֶּבֶר) — properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply
- days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
6 That thou inquirest after mine iniquity, And searchest after my sin,Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- That thou enquirest H1245 (בָּקַשׁ) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
- after mine iniquity H5771 (עָוֺן) — perversity, i.e. (moral) evil
- and searchest H1875 (דָּרַשׁ) — properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
- after my sin H2403 (חַטָּאָה) — an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
7 Although thou knowest that I am not wicked, And there is none that can deliver out of thy hand?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Thou knowest H1847 (דַּעַת) — knowledge
- that I am not wicked H7561 (רָשַׁע) — to be (causatively, do or declare) wrong; by implication, to disturb, violate
- none that can deliver H5337 (נָצַל) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
- out of thine hand H3027 (יָד) — a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of a…
8 Thy hands have framed me and fashioned me Together round about; yet thou dost destroy me.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Thine hands H3027 (יָד) — a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of a…
- have made H6087 (עָצַב) — properly, to carve, i.e. fabricate or fashion; hence (in a bad sense) to worry, pain or anger
- me and fashioned H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
- me together H3162 (יַחַד) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly
- round about H5439 (סָבִיב) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
- yet thou dost destroy H1104 (בָּלַע) — to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy
9 Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast fashioned me as clay; And wilt thou bring me into dust again?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Remember H2142 (זָכַר) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
- I beseech thee, that thou hast made H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
- me as the clay H2563 (חֹמֶר) — properly, a bubbling up, i.e. of water, a wave; of earth, mire or clay (cement); also a heap; hence, a chomer or dry measure
- and wilt thou bring H7725 (שׁוּב) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally…
- me into dust H6083 (עָפָר) — dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
- again H7725 (שׁוּב) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally…
10 Hast thou not poured me out as milk, And curdled me like cheese?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Hast thou not poured me out H5413 (נָתַךְ) — to flow forth (literally or figuratively); by implication, to liquify
- as milk H2461 (חָלָב) — milk (as the richness of kine)
- and curdled H7087 (קָפָא) — to shrink, i.e. thicken (as unracked wine, curdled milk, clouded sky, frozen water)
- me like cheese H1385 (גְּבִנָה) — curdled milk
11 Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, And knit me together with bones and sinews.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Thou hast clothed H3847 (לָבַשׁ) — properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively
- me with skin H5785 (עוֹר) — skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather
- and flesh H1320 (בָּשָׂר) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
- and hast fenced H7753 (שׂוּךְ) — to entwine, i.e. shut in (for formation, protection or restraint)
- me with bones H6106 (עֶצֶם) — a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.) selfsame
- and sinews H1517 (גִּיד) — a thong (as compressing); by analogy, a tendon
12 Thou hast granted me life and lovingkindness; And thy visitation hath preserved my spirit.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Thou hast granted H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
- me life H2416 (חַי) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing),…
- and favour H2617 (חֶסֶד) — kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
- and thy visitation H6486 (פְּקֻדָּה) — visitation (in many senses, chiefly official)
- hath preserved H8104 (שָׁמַר) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
- my spirit H7307 (רוּחַ) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by re…
13 Yet these things thou didst hide in thy heart; I know that this is with thee:Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- hast thou hid H6845 (צָפַן) — to hide (by covering over); by implication, to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny; specifically (favorably) to protect, (unfavorably) to lurk
- in thine heart H3824 (לֵבָב) — the heart (as the most interior organ);
- I know H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
14 If I sin, then thou markest me, And thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- If I sin H2398 (חָטָא) — properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
- then thou markest H8104 (שָׁמַר) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
- me, and thou wilt not acquit H5352 (נָקָה) — to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e. extirpated
- me from mine iniquity H5771 (עָוֺן) — perversity, i.e. (moral) evil
15 If I be wicked, woe unto me; And if I be righteous, yet shall I not lift up my head; Being filled with ignominy, And looking upon mine affliction.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- If I be wicked H7561 (רָשַׁע) — to be (causatively, do or declare) wrong; by implication, to disturb, violate
- woe H480 (אַלְלַי) — alas!
- I be righteous H6663 (צָדַק) — to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense)
- will I not lift up H5375 (נָשָׂא) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
- my head H7218 (רֹאשׁ) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
- full H7649 (שָׂבֵעַ) — satiated (in a pleasant or disagreeable sense)
- of confusion H7036 (קָלוֹן) — disgrace; (by implication) the pudenda
- therefore see H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- therefore see H7202 (רָאֶה) — seeing, i.e. experiencing
- thou mine affliction H6040 (עֳנִי) — depression, i.e. misery
16 And if my head exalt itself, thou huntest me as a lion; And again thou showest thyself marvellous upon me.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For it increaseth H1342 (גָּאָה) — to mount up; hence, in general, to rise, (figuratively) be majestic
- Thou huntest H6679 (צוּד) — to lie alongside (i.e. in wait); by implication, to catch an animal (figuratively, men); to victual (for a journey)
- me as a fierce lion H7826 (שַׁחַל) — a lion (from his characteristic roar)
- and again H7725 (שׁוּב) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally…
- thou shewest thyself marvellous H6381 (פָּלָא) — properly, perhaps to separate, i.e. distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful
17 Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, And increasest thine indignation upon me: Changes and warfare are with me.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Thou renewest H2318 (חָדַשׁ) — to be new; causatively, to rebuild
- thy witnesses H5707 (עֵד) — concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e. prince
- against me, and increasest H7235 (רָבָה) — to increase (in whatever respect)
- thine indignation H3708 (כַּעַס) — vexation
- upon me H5978 (עִמָּד) — along with
- changes H2487 (חֲלִיפָה) — alternation
- and war H6635 (צָבָא) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically, h…
18 Wherefore then hast thou brought me forth out of the womb? I had given up the ghost, and no eye had seen me.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Wherefore then hast thou brought me forth H3318 (יָצָא) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.
- out of the womb H7358 (רֶחֶם) — the womb
- Oh that I had given up the ghost H1478 (גָּוַע) — to breathe out, i.e. (by implication) expire
- and no eye H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
- had seen H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
19 I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried H2986 (יָבַל) — properly, to flow; causatively, to bring (especially with pomp)
- from the womb H990 (בֶּטֶן) — the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything
- to the grave H6913 (קֶבֶר) — a sepulchre
20 Are not my days few? cease then, And let me alone, that I may take comfort a little,Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- not my days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- few H4592 (מְעַט) — a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)
- cease H2308 (חָדַל) — properly, to be flabby, i.e. (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle
- let me alone H7896 (שִׁית) — to place (in a very wide application)
- that I may take comfort H1082 (בָּלַג) — to break off or loose (in a favorable or unfavorable sense), i.e. desist (from grief) or invade (with destruction)
- a little H4592 (מְעַט) — a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)
21 Before I go whence I shall not return, Even to the land of darkness and of the shadow of death;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Before I go H3212 (יָלַךְ) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
- I shall not return H7725 (שׁוּב) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally…
- to the land H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
- of darkness H2822 (חֹשֶׁךְ) — the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
- and the shadow of death H6757 (צַלְמָוֶת) — shade of death, i.e. the grave (figuratively, calamity)
22 The land dark as midnight, The land of the shadow of death, without any order, And where the light is as midnight.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- A land H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
- of darkness H5890 (עֵיפָה) — obscurity (as if from covering)
- as darkness H652 (אֹפֶל) — dusk
- of the shadow of death H6757 (צַלְמָוֶת) — shade of death, i.e. the grave (figuratively, calamity)
- without any order H5468 (סֶדֶר) — order
- the light H3313 (יָפַע) — to shine