[1] Human life is like forced army service, like a life of hard manual labor, [2] like a slave longing for cool shade; like a worker waiting to be paid. [3] Month after month I have nothing to live for; night after night brings me grief. [4] When I lie down to sleep, the hours drag; I toss all night and long for dawn. [5] My body is full of worms; it is covered with scabs; pus runs out of my sores. [6] My days pass by without hope, pass faster than a weaver's shuttle. [7] Remember, O God, my life is only a breath; my happiness has already ended. [8] You see me now, but never again. If you look for me, I'll be gone. [9] Like a cloud that fades and is gone, we humans die and never return; we are forgotten by all who knew us. [11] No! I can't be quiet! I am angry and bitter. I have to speak. [12] Why do you keep me under guard? Do you think I am a sea monster? [13] I lie down and try to rest; I look for relief from my pain. [14] But you-you terrify me with dreams; you send me visions and nightmares [15] until I would rather be strangled than live in this miserable body. [16] I give up; I am tired of living. Leave me alone. My life makes no sense. [17] Why are people so important to you? Why pay attention to what they do? [18] You inspect them every morning and test them every minute. [19] Won't you look away long enough for me to swallow my spit? [20] Are you harmed by my sin, you jailer? Why use me for your target practice? Am I so great a burden to you? [21] Can't you ever forgive my sin? Can't you pardon the wrong I do? Soon I will be in my grave, and I'll be gone when you look for me.
