For, when I think about this, I am terrified and my body feels a shudder.

My body trembles because I fear you; I am afraid of your judgments.

ב (Bet) He has made my mortal skin waste away; he has broken my bones.

Then a breath of air passes by my face; it makes the hair of my flesh stand up.

Is my strength like that of stones? or is my flesh made of bronze?

My body is clothed with worms and dirty scabs; my skin is broken and festering.

Why do I put myself in peril, and take my life in my hands?

So my heart rejoices and I am happy; My life is safe.

When evil men attack me to devour my flesh, when my adversaries and enemies attack me, they stumble and fall.

A psalm of David, written when he was in the Judean wilderness. O God, you are my God! I long for you! My soul thirsts for you, my flesh yearns for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.

I thought deeply about the effects of indulging myself with wine (all the while my mind was guiding me with wisdom) and the effects of behaving foolishly, so that I might discover what is profitable for people to do on earth during the few days of their lives.