Why do you hide your face and regard me as your enemy?

You overpower him once for all, and he departs; you change his appearance and send him away.

“Were you the first man ever born? Were you brought forth before the hills?

He has made me a byword to people, I am the one in whose face they spit.

Their children are firmly established in their presence, their offspring before their eyes.

I would lay out my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.

He conceals the face of the full moon, shrouding it with his clouds.

Reply to me, if you can; set your arguments in order before me and take your stand!

when the waters become hard like stone, when the surface of the deep is frozen solid?

Hide them in the dust together, imprison them in the grave.

Make a just decision on my behalf! Decide what is right!

My wounds are infected and starting to smell, because of my foolish sins.

Before him the coastlands will bow down, and his enemies will lick the dust.

O God, restore us! Smile on us! Then we will be delivered!

I will crush his enemies before him; I will strike down those who hate him.

You are aware of our sins; you even know about our hidden sins.

Let’s enter his presence with thanksgiving! Let’s shout out to him in celebration!

Majestic splendor emanates from him; his sanctuary is firmly established and beautiful.

Fire goes before him; on every side it burns up his enemies.

When you send your life-giving breath, they are created, and you replenish the surface of the ground.