To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. How long will you forget me, O LORD? forever? how long will you hide your face from me?

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

When I kept silence, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long.

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

For you are the God of my strength: why do you 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 your indignation and your wrath: for you have lifted me up, and cast me down.

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