אֲנִי

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels, and took them away. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

…when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on the young people and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

I have seen a fool taking root, but suddenly his house was cursed.

However, if I were you, I would appeal to God and lay my cause before Him—

Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand how I have erred.

Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

Am I the sea, or the monster of the deep, that You must keep me under guard?

Even if I were righteous, my mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, it would declare me guilty.

Though I am blameless, I have no concern for myself; I despise my own life.

What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.

Yet I desire to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God.

Be silent, and I will speak. Then let come to me what may.

See now, I have prepared my case; I know that I will be vindicated.

Your own mouth, not mine, condemns you; your own lips testify against you.

But I know that my Redeemer lives, and in the end He will stand upon the earth.

I will see Him for myself; my eyes will behold Him, and not as a stranger. How my heart yearns within me!

I served as eyes to the blind and as feet to the lame.

So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite declared: “I am young in years, while you are old; that is why I was timid and afraid to tell you what I know.

Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; I too will declare what I know.’

I too will answer; yes, I will declare what I know.

I am just like you before God; I was also formed from clay.

‘I am pure, without transgression; I am clean, with no iniquity in me.

Should God repay you on your own terms when you have disavowed Him? You must choose, not I; so tell me what you know.

I will reply to you and to your friends as well.

Then I will confess to you that your own right hand can save you.

“I have installed My King on Zion, upon My holy mountain.”

I will proclaim the decree spoken to Me by the LORD: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.

I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the LORD sustains me.

But I will enter Your house by the abundance of Your loving devotion; in reverence I will bow down toward Your holy temple.

Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am frail; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are in agony.

But I have trusted in Your loving devotion; my heart will rejoice in Your salvation.

As for the deeds of men—by the word of Your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.

I call on You, O God, for You will answer me. Incline Your ear to me; hear my words.

As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied in Your presence.

Turn to me and be gracious, for I am lonely and afflicted.

Of David. Vindicate me, O LORD! For I have walked with integrity; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.

But I will walk with integrity; redeem me and be merciful to me.

Though an army encamps around me, my heart will not fear; though a war breaks out against me, I will keep my trust.

In prosperity I said, “I will never be shaken.”

I hate those who cling to worthless idols, but in the LORD I trust.

But I trust in You, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”

In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from Your sight!” But You heard my plea for mercy when I called to You for help.

Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers; say to my soul: “I am your salvation.”

Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, but my prayers returned unanswered.

But like a deaf man, I do not hear; and like a mute man, I do not open my mouth.

For I am ready to fall, and my pain is ever with me.

“Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is.

Remove Your scourge from me; I am perishing by the force of Your hand.