God, God
has led me, has led me
into darkness.
He has made for me a yoke
and he has pressed my head, my head
and my jaw.
God has bent his bow,
making me the target
for his arrows.
Though I call and cry,
he stifles, he stifles
my prayer.
When I see where he has brought me
in my wandering life,
this is wormwood and gall.
What will I do
if hope fails within me,
the hope
that comes from the Lord,
that comes from the Lord.
Sit down alone and in silence,
because God has laid it upon you.
Put your mouth in the dust,
there may yet be hope.
Offer your cheek to him who strikes you,
for the Lord does not reject you forever:
even if he afflicts you, he will then be merciful.
For the Lord does not reject you forever,
even if he afflicts you, he will then be merciful,
according to the abundance of his love.

Listen to me, remotest islands, all the nations,
thus speaks the Lord, the Holy One of Israel
to him whose life is despised,
whom the nations loathe,
to the slave of the oppressors:
"The kings shall see you, they will stand up,
the princes of the earth
they will bow down,
I have chosen you, I’ve chosen you."
At the time of favour I will hear you,
on the day of salvation I will help you,
I have set you as a Covenant for the peoples.”
"The kings shall see you…
"You will say to prisoners: 'Come out!;'
you will say to the blind: 'See!;'
you will guide the peoples to the waters of life."
"The kings shall see you…
But Zion says:
"The Lord has abandoned me,
the Lord has forgotten me."
"Can a mother forget
the baby at her breast?
Or fail to cherish
the son of her womb?
Even if a mother
forget her baby
I will not forget you.
Look at me, I have branded you
on the palms of my hands.
Look at me, I have branded you
on the palms of my hands."
"The kings shall see you…