Lamentations 3:5-19

5He has besieged and surrounded me with bitter hardship.

6He has made me reside in deepest darkness like those who died long ago. ג (Gimel)

7He has walled me in so that I cannot get out; he has weighted me down with heavy prison chains.

8Also, when I cry out desperately for help, he has shut out my prayer.

9He has blocked every road I take with a wall of hewn stones; he has made every path impassable. ד (Dalet)

10To me he is like a bear lying in ambush, like a hidden lion stalking its prey.

11He has obstructed my paths and torn me to pieces; he has made me desolate.

12He drew his bow and made me the target for his arrow. ה (He)

13He shot his arrows into my heart.

14I have become the laughingstock of all people, their mocking song all day long.

15He has given me my fill of bitter herbs and made me drunk with bitterness. ו (Vav)

16He ground my teeth in gravel; he trampled me in the dust.

17I am deprived of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is.

18So I said, “My endurance has expired; I have lost all hope of deliverance from the Lord.” ז (Zayin)

19Remember my impoverished and homeless condition, which is a bitter poison.