1 But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, Whose fathers I disdained to set with the dogs of my flock.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- younger 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…
- younger H6810 (צָעִיר) — little; (in number) few; (in age) young, (in value) ignoble
- than I have me in derision H7832 (שָׂחַק) — to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication, to play
- whose fathers H1 (אָב) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
- I would have disdained H3988 (מָאַס) — to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear
- to have set H7896 (שִׁית) — to place (in a very wide application)
- with the dogs H3611 (כֶּלֶב) — a dog; hence (by euphemism) a male prostitute
- of my flock H6629 (צֹאן) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
2 Yea, the strength of their hands, whereto should it profit me? Men in whom ripe age is perished.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Yea, whereto H4100 (מָה) — properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even rela…
- the strength H3581 (כֹּחַ) — vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its hardiness) a large lizard
- of their 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…
- me, in whom old age H3624 (כֶּלַח) — maturity
- was perished H6 (אָבַד) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
3 They are gaunt with want and famine; They gnaw the dry ground, in the gloom of wasteness and desolation.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For want H2639 (חֶסֶר) — lack; hence, destitution
- and famine H3720 (כָּפָן) — hunger (as making to stoop with emptiness and pain)
- solitary H1565 (גַּלְמוּד) — sterile (as wrapped up too hard); figuratively, desolate
- fleeing H6207 (עָרַק) — to gnaw, i.e. (figuratively) eat (by hyberbole); also (participle) a pain
- into the wilderness H6723 (צִיָּה) — aridity; concretely, a desert
- in former time H570 (אֶמֶשׁ) — yesterday or last night
- desolate H7722 (שׁוֹא) — a tempest; by implication, devastation
- and waste H4875 (מְשׁוֹאָה) — (a) ruin, abstractly (the act) or concretely (the wreck)
4 They pluck salt-wort by the bushes; And the roots of the broom are their food.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Who cut up H6998 (קָטַף) — to strip off
- mallows H4408 (מַלּוּחַ) — sea-purslain (from its saltness)
- by the bushes H7880 (שִׂיחַ) — a shoot (as if uttered or put forth), i.e. (generally) shrubbery
- and juniper H7574 (רֶתֶם) — the Spanish broom (from its pole-like stems)
- roots H8328 (שֶׁרֶשׁ) — a root (literally or figuratively)
- their meat H3899 (לֶחֶם) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
5 They are driven forth from the midst of men; They cry after them as after a thief;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- They were driven forth H1644 (גָּרַשׁ) — to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce
- from among H1460 (גֵּו) — the back; by analogy, the middle
- they cried H7321 (רוּעַ) — to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e. shout (for alarm or joy)
- a thief H1590 (גַּנָּב) — a stealer
6 So that they dwell in frightful valleys, In holes of the earth and of the rocks.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- To dwell H7931 (שָׁכַן) — to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
- in the clifts H6178 (עָרוּץ) — feared, i.e. (concretely) a horrible place or chasm
- of the valleys H5158 (נַחַל) — a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
- caves H2356 (חוֹר) — a cavity, socket, den
- of the earth H6083 (עָפָר) — dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
- the rocks H3710 (כֵּף) — a hollow rock
7 Among the bushes they bray; Under the nettles they are gathered together.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Among the bushes H7880 (שִׂיחַ) — a shoot (as if uttered or put forth), i.e. (generally) shrubbery
- they brayed H5101 (נָהַק) — to bray (as an ass), scream (from hunger)
- under the nettles H2738 (חָרוּל) — properly, pointed, i.e. a bramble or other thorny weed
- they were gathered together H5596 (סָפַח) — properly, to scrape out, but in certain peculiar senses (of removal or association)
8 They are children of fools, yea, children of base men; They were scourged out of the land.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- children H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…
- of fools H5036 (נָבָל) — stupid; wicked (especially impious)
- yea, children H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…
- of base men H8034 (שֵׁם) — an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
- they were viler H5217 (נָכָא) — to smite, i.e. drive away
- than the earth H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
9 And now I am become their song, Yea, I am a byword unto them.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And now am I their song H5058 (נְגִינָה) — properly, instrumental music; by implication, a stringed instrument; by extension, a poem set to music; specifically, an epigram
- yea, I am their byword H4405 (מִלָּה) — a word; collectively, a discourse; figuratively, a topic
10 They abhor me, they stand aloof from me, And spare not to spit in my face.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- They abhor H8581 (תַּעָב) — to loathe, i.e. (morally) detest
- me, they flee far H7368 (רָחַק) — to widen (in any direction), i.e. (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)
- from me, and spare H2820 (חָשַׂךְ) — to restrain or (reflex.) refrain; by implication, to refuse, spare, preserve; to observe
- not to spit H7536 (רֹק) — spittle
- in my face H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
11 For he hath loosed his cord, and afflicted me; And they have cast off the bridle before me.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Because he hath loosed H6605 (פָּתַח) — to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
- my cord H3499 (יֶתֶר) — properly, an overhanging, i.e. (by implication) an excess, superiority, remainder; also a small rope (as hanging free)
- and afflicted H6031 (עָנָה) — to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
- me, they have also let loose H7971 (שָׁלַח) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
- the bridle H7448 (רֶסֶן) — a halter (as restraining); by implication, the jaw
- before H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
12 Upon my right hand rise the rabble; They thrust aside my feet, And they cast up against me their ways of destruction.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- right H3225 (יָמִין) — the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
- rise H6965 (קוּם) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
- the youth H6526 (פִּרְחַח) — progeny, i.e. a brood
- they push away H7971 (שָׁלַח) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
- my feet H7272 (רֶגֶל) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
- and they raise up H5549 (סָלַל) — to mound up (especially a turnpike); figurative, to exalt; reflexively, to oppose (as by a dam)
- against me the ways H734 (אֹרַח) — a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan
- of their destruction H343 (אֵיד) — oppression; by implication misfortune, ruin
13 They mar my path, They set forward my calamity, Even men that have no helper.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- They mar H5420 (נָתַס) — to tear up
- my path H5410 (נָתִיב) — a (beaten) track
- they set forward H3276 (יָעַל) — properly, to ascend; figuratively, to be valuable (objectively; useful, subjectively; benefited)
- my calamity H1962 (הַיָּה) — ruin
- my calamity H1942 (הַוָּה) — by implication, of falling); desire; also ruin
- they have no helper H5826 (עָזַר) — to surround, i.e. protect or aid
14 As through a wide breach they come: In the midst of the ruin they roll themselves upon me.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- They came H857 (אָתָה) — to arrive
- as a wide H7342 (רָחָב) — roomy, in any (or every) direction, literally or figuratively
- breaking H6556 (פֶּרֶץ) — a break (literally or figuratively)
- in H8478 (תַּחַת) — the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc.
- the desolation H7722 (שׁוֹא) — a tempest; by implication, devastation
- they rolled H1556 (גָּלַל) — to roll (literally or figuratively)
15 Terrors are turned upon me; They chase mine honor as the wind; And my welfare is passed away as a cloud.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Terrors H1091 (בַּלָּהָה) — alarm; hence, destruction
- are turned H2015 (הָפַךְ) — to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert
- upon me: they pursue H7291 (רָדַף) — to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
- my soul H5082 (נְדִיבָה) — properly, nobility, i.e. reputation
- as the wind 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…
- and my welfare H3444 (יְשׁוּעָה) — something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity
- passeth away H5674 (עָבַר) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation…
- as a cloud H5645 (עָב) — properly, an envelope, i.e. darkness (or density, 2 Chronicles 4:17); specifically, a (scud) cloud; also a copse
16 And now my soul is poured out within me; Days of affliction have taken hold upon me.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And now 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 poured out H8210 (שָׁפַךְ) — to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e. to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc.); intensi…
- upon me; 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 affliction H6040 (עֳנִי) — depression, i.e. misery
- have taken hold H270 (אָחַז) — to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)
17 In the night season my bones are pierced in me, And the pains that gnaw me take no rest.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- My bones H6106 (עֶצֶם) — a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.) selfsame
- are pierced H5365 (נָקַר) — to bore (penetrate, quarry)
- in me in the night season H3915 (לַיִל) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity
- and my sinews H6207 (עָרַק) — to gnaw, i.e. (figuratively) eat (by hyberbole); also (participle) a pain
- take no rest H7901 (שָׁכַב) — to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
18 By God’s great force is my garment disfigured; It bindeth me about as the collar of my coat.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- By the great H7230 (רֹב) — abundance (in any respect)
- force H3581 (כֹּחַ) — vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its hardiness) a large lizard
- is my garment H3830 (לְבוּשׁ) — a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication (euphemistically) a wife
- changed H2664 (חָפַשׂ) — to seek; causatively, to conceal oneself (i.e. let be sought), or mask
- it bindeth me about H247 (אָזַר) — to belt
- as the collar H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
- of my coat H3801 (כְּתֹנֶת) — a shirt
19 He hath cast me into the mire, And I am become like dust and ashes.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- He hath cast H3384 (יָרָה) — properly, to flow as water (i.e. to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e. to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by aiming the f…
- me into the mire 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 I am become like H4911 (מָשַׁל) — to liken, i.e. (transitively) to use figurative language (an allegory, adage, song or the like); intransitively, to resemble
- dust H6083 (עָפָר) — dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
- and ashes H665 (אֵפֶר) — ashes
20 I cry unto thee, and thou dost not answer me: I stand up, and thou gazest at me.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- I cry H7768 (שָׁוַע) — properly, to be free; but used only causatively and reflexively, to halloo (for help, i.e. freedom from some trouble)
- unto thee, and thou dost not hear H6030 (עָנָה) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, a…
- me: I stand up H5975 (עָמַד) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
- and thou regardest H995 (בִּין) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand
21 Thou art turned to be cruel to me; With the might of thy hand thou persecutest me.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Thou art become H2015 (הָפַךְ) — to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert
- cruel H393 (אַכְזָר) — violent; by implication deadly; also (in a good sense) brave
- to me: with thy strong H6108 (עֹצֶם) — power; hence, body
- 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…
- thou opposest H7852 (שָׂטַם) — properly, to lurk for, i.e. persecute
22 Thou liftest me up to the wind, thou causest me to ride upon it; And thou dissolvest me in the storm.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Thou liftest me up H5375 (נָשָׂא) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
- to the wind 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…
- thou causest me to ride H7392 (רָכַב) — to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch
- and dissolvest H4127 (מוּג) — to melt, i.e. literally (to soften, flow down, disappear), or figuratively (to fear, faint)
- my substance H7738 (שָׁוָה) — to destroy
- my substance H8454 (תּוּשִׁיָּה) — support or (by implication) ability, i.e. (direct) help, (in purpose) an undertaking, (intellectual) understanding
23 For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, And to the house appointed for all living.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For 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…
- thou wilt 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…
- death H4194 (מָוֶת) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
- the house H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
- appointed H4150 (מוֹעֵד) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite…
- for all living 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),…
24 Howbeit doth not one stretch out the hand in his fall? Or in his calamity therefore cry for help?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Howbeit he will not stretch out H7971 (שָׁלַח) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
- 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…
- to the grave H1164 (בְּעִי) — a prayer
- though they cry H7769 (שׁוּעַ) — a halloo
- in his destruction H6365 (פִּיד) — (figuratively) misfortune
25 Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? Was not my soul grieved for the needy?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Did not I weep H1058 (בָּכָה) — to weep; generally to bemoan
- for him that was in trouble 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…
- for him that was in trouble H7186 (קָשֶׁה) — severe (in various applications)
- 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)
- grieved H5701 (עָגַם) — to be sad
- for the poor H34 (אֶבְיוֹן) — destitute
26 When I looked for good, then evil came; And when I waited for light, there came darkness.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- When I looked H6960 (קָוָה) — to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e. collect; (figuratively) to expect
- for good H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
- then evil H7451 (רַע) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
- came H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
- and when I waited H3176 (יָחַל) — to wait; by implication, to be patient, hope
- for light H216 (אוֹר) — illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
- there came H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
- darkness H652 (אֹפֶל) — dusk
27 My heart is troubled, and resteth not; Days of affliction are come upon me.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- My bowels H4578 (מֵעֶה) — used only in plural the intestines, or (collectively) the abdomen, figuratively, sympathy; by implication, a vest; by extension the stomach, the uterus (or of m…
- boiled H7570 (רָתַח) — to boil
- and rested H1826 (דָּמַם) — to be dumb; by implication, to be astonished, to stop; also to perish
- not: 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 affliction H6040 (עֳנִי) — depression, i.e. misery
- prevented H6923 (קָדַם) — to project (one self), i.e. precede; hence, to anticipate, hasten, meet (usually for help)
28 I go mourning without the sun: I stand up in the assembly, and cry for help.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- I went H1980 (הָלַךְ) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
- mourning H6937 (קָדַר) — to be ashy, i.e. dark-colored; by implication, to mourn (in sackcloth or sordid garments)
- without the sun H2535 (חַמָּה) — heat; by implication, the sun
- I stood up H6965 (קוּם) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
- I cried H7768 (שָׁוַע) — properly, to be free; but used only causatively and reflexively, to halloo (for help, i.e. freedom from some trouble)
- in the congregation H6951 (קָהָל) — assemblage (usually concretely)
29 I am a brother to jackals, And a companion to ostriches.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- I am a brother H251 (אָח) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like 1])
- to dragons H8577 (תַּנִּין) — a marine or land monster, i.e. sea-serpent or jackal
- and a companion H7453 (רֵעַ) — an associate (more or less close)
- to owls H3284 (יַעֲנָה)
- to owls H1323 (בַּת) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
30 My skin is black, and falleth from me, And my bones are burned with heat.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- My skin H5785 (עוֹר) — skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather
- is black H7835 (שָׁחַר) — to be dim or dark (in color)
- upon me, and my bones H6106 (עֶצֶם) — a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.) selfsame
- are burned H2787 (חָרַר) — to glow, i.e. literally (to melt, burn, dry up) or figuratively (to show or incite passion)
- with heat H2721 (חֹרֶב) — drought or desolation
31 Therefore is my harp turned to mourning, And my pipe into the voice of them that weep.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- My harp H3658 (כִּנּוֹר) — a harp
- to mourning H60 (אֵבֶל) — lamentation
- and my organ H5748 (עוּגָב) — a reed-instrument of music
- into the voice H6963 (קוֹל) — a voice or sound
- of them that weep H1058 (בָּכָה) — to weep; generally to bemoan