Thomson(i)
1 Remember, Lord, what hath befallen us: look down
2 and behold our reproach. Our inheritance is transferred to strangers; our houses to foreigners.
3 We are become orphans. Our father is no more. Our mothers are like widows.
4 Our water we have drunk for money. Our wood came by barter on our shoulders.
5 We have been persecuted. We have laboured and have had no rest.
6 Egypt laid to a hand; Assyria, till they were satisfied.
7 Our fathers sinned; they are no more. We have borne their transgressions.
8 Slaves have got dominion over us; there is none to deliver us out of their hand.
9 At the peril of our lives we must gather in our corn, because of the sword of the desert.
10 Our skin is black as an oven. They are shrivelled up by storms of famine.
11 Our wives are humbled in Sion; our virgins in the cities of Juda.
12 Our chiefs were hanged up by their hands; our elders were held in no esteem.
13 Our warriors took up a lamentation; and our youths fainted under a club.
14 Our elders have ceased to attend at the gates, and our chosen men have ceased from their songs.
15 The joy of our heart is at an end; our dance is turned into mourning.
16 Our crown is fallen from our head; alas for us! for we have sinned.
17 Because of this, grief is come upon us; our heart is full of sorrow: because of this, our eyes are dim.
18 On mount Sion, because it is desolate, foxes have walked about.
19 But thou, Lord, wilt inhabit it forever: thy throne is for all generations.
20 Why wilt thou utterly forget us? Wilt thou leave1 us for length of days?
21 Turn us to thee, Lord, and we shall be turned and renew our days as heretofore. Because thou wast cast off, thou hast cast us off; thou hast been provoked against us to a high degree.