Won't you look away long enough for me to swallow my spit?

Leave me alone so that I may have some happiness before I go away and am no more.

Your anger lies heavy on me, and I am crushed beneath its waves.

Ever since I was young, I have suffered and been near death; I am worn out from the burden of your punishments.

All day long they surround me like a flood; they close in on me from every side.

And beat me again and again with merciless blows.

I do not have much longer to live; my hope in the LORD is gone.

Why let people go on living in misery? Why give light to those in grief ?

Bitter suffering is all he has given me for food and drink.

The thought of my pain, my homelessness, is bitter poison.

When we are punished, it seems to us at the time something to make us sad, not glad. Later, however, those who have been disciplined by such punishment reap the peaceful reward of a righteous life.