How long wilt Thou forget me, O LORD? For ever? How long wilt Thou hide Thy face from me?

How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

When I kept silent, my bones waxed old through my groaning all the day long.

I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.

For Thou art the God of my strength; why dost Thou cast me off? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

For I have eaten ashes like bread and mingled my drink with weeping,

because of Thine indignation and Thy wrath; for Thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.

Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter; I did mourn as a dove; mine eyes fail with looking upward. O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me!