The Babylonian Exile

He hath hedged about mee, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chaines heauy.

Also when I cry and showte, hee shutteth out my prayer.

He hath stopped vp my wayes with hewen stone, and turned away my paths.

He was vnto me as a beare lying in waite, and as a Lion in secret places.

He hath stopped my wayes, and pulled me in pieces: he hath made me desolate.

He hath bent his bow and made me a marke for the arrow.

Hee caused the arrowes of his quiuer to enter into my reines.

I was a derision to all my people, and their song all the day.

He hath filled me with bitternes, and made me drunken with wormewood.

He hath also broken my teeth with stones, and hath couered me with ashes.

Thus my soule was farre off from peace: I forgate prosperitie,

And I saide, My strength and mine hope is perished from the Lord,

Remembring mine affliction, and my mourning, the wormewood and the gall.

My soule hath them in remembrance, and is humbled in me.

I consider this in mine heart: therefore haue I hope.

It is the Lordes mercies that wee are not consumed, because his compassions faile not.

They are renued euery morning: great is thy faithfulnesse.

The Lord is my portion, sayth my soule: therefore wil I hope in him.

The Lord is good vnto them, that trust in him, and to the soule that seeketh him.

It is good both to trust, and to waite for the saluation of the Lord.

It is good for a man that he beare the yoke in his youth.

He sitteth alone, and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it vpon him.

He putteth his mouth in the dust, if there may be hope.

Hee giueth his cheeke to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproches.

For the Lord will not forsake for euer.