Grief and Hope

Lamentations 3

Speaking as a man who has known the Lord's rod of affliction, walled in, wounded, and made a laughingstock, the speaker nonetheless recalls that the Lord's mercies are new every morning and resolves to wait quietly for his salvation, affirming that the Lord does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men. The chapter closes with a plea for the Lord to judge the speaker's cause and repay those who have plotted against him.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonI AM a man who have seen affliction by the rod of His wrath against me.

BrentonAleph. I am the man that sees poverty, through the rod of his wrath upon me.

GreekΑΛΕΦ. Ἐγὼ ἀνὴρ ὁ βλέπων πτωχείαν, ἐν ῥάβδῳ θυμοῦ αὐτοῦ ἐπʼ ἐμέ.

KJVI AM the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.

JPSI am the man that hath seen affliction By the rod of His wrath.

ThomsonHe hath seized me and dragged me into darkness and there is no light.

BrentonHe has taken me, and led me away into darkness, and not into light.

GreekΠαρέλαβέ με καὶ ἀπήγαγέ με εἰς σκότος, καὶ οὐ φῶς.

KJVHe hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light.

JPSHe hath led me and caused me to walk in darkness and not in light.

ThomsonBut still He turned His hand against me all the day long.

BrentonNay, against me has he turned his hand all the day.

GreekΠλὴν ἐν ἐμοὶ ἐπέστρεψε χεῖρα αὐτοῦ ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν,

KJVSurely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand against me all the day.

JPSSurely against me He turneth His hand again and again all the day.

ThomsonHe hath made my flesh and my skin old; He hath broken my bones.

BrentonHe has made old my flesh and my skin; he has broken my bones.

Greekἐπαλαίωσε σάρκα μου καὶ δέρμα μου, ὀστέα μου συνέτριψεν.

KJVMy flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones.

JPSMy flesh and my skin hath He worn out; He hath broken my bones.

ThomsonHe built up against me and encompassed my head and afflicted it with pain;

BrentonBeth. He has built against me, and compassed my head, and brought travail upon me.

GreekΒΗΘ. Ἀνῳκοδόμησε κατʼ ἐμοῦ, καὶ ἐκύκλωσε κεφαλήν μου, καὶ ἐμόχθησεν·

KJVHe hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail.

JPSHe hath builded against me, and compassed me With gall and travail.

Thomsonin dark mansions He placed me like the dead of old.

BrentonHe has set me in dark places, as them that have long been dead.

Greekἐν σκοτεινοῖς ἐκάθισέ με ὡς νεκροὺς αἰῶνος.

KJVHe hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old.

JPSHe hath made me to dwell in dark places, As those that have been long dead. .

ThomsonHe built up against me so that I cannot get out. He made my chain heavy.

BrentonHe has builded against me, and I cannot come forth: he has made my brazen chain heavy.

GreekἈνῳκοδόμησε κατʼ ἐμοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἐξελεύσομαι, ἐβάρυνε χαλκόν μου.

KJVHe hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy.

JPSHe hath hedged me about, that I cannot go forth; He hath made my chain heavy.

ThomsonThough I scream and cry, He shut out my prayer.

BrentonGimel. Yea, though I cry and shout, he shuts out my prayer.

GreekΓΙΜΕΛ. Καί γε κεκράξομαι καὶ βοήσω, ἀπέφραξε προσευχήν μου.

KJVAlso when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.

JPSYea, when I cry and call for help, He shutteth out my prayer.

ThomsonHe walled up my ways; He blocked up my paths; He terrified me.

BrentonDaleth. He has built up my ways, he has hedged my paths;

GreekΔΑΛΕΘ. Ἀνῳκοδόμησεν ὁδούς μου, ἐνέφραξε τρίβους μου,

KJVHe hath inclosed my ways with hewn stone, he hath made my paths crooked.

JPSHe hath enclosed my ways with hewn stone, He hath made my paths crooked.

ThomsonHe was as a bear lying in wait; to me He was like a lion in secret coverts.

Brentonhe has troubled me, as a she-bear lying in wait: he is to me as a lion in secret places.

Greekἐτάραξεν ἄρκος ἐνεδρεύουσα, αὐτός μοι λέων ἐν κρυφαίοις,

KJVHe was unto me as a bear lying in wait, and as a lion in secret places.

JPSHe is unto me as a bear lying in wait, As a lion in secret places.

Thomson—

BrentonHe pursued me after I departed, and brought me to a stand: he has utterly ruined me.

Greekκατεδίωξεν ἀφεστηκότα, καὶ κατέπαυσέ με, ἔθετό με ἠφανισμένην.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonHe bent his bow and set me up as a mark for His arrow.

BrentonHe. He has bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.

GreekΗ. Ἐνέτεινε τόξον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐστήλωσέ με ὡς σκοπὸν εἰς βέλος.

KJVHe hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.

JPSHe hath bent His bow, and set me As a mark for the arrow.

ThomsonHe poured into my reins the darts of His quiver.

BrentonHe has caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins.

GreekΕἰσήγαγεν ἐν τοῖς νεφροῖς μου ἰοὺς φαρέτρας αὐτοῦ.

KJVHe hath caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins.

JPSHe hath caused the arrows of His quiver To enter into my reins.

ThomsonI became a subject of laughter to all my people—their song all the day long.

BrentonI became a laughing-stock to all my people; and their song all the day.

GreekἘγενήθην γέλως παντὶ λαῷ μου, ψαλμὸς αὐτῶν ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν.

KJVI was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day.

JPSI am become a derision to all my people, And their song all the day.

Thomson—

BrentonVau. He has filled me with bitterness, he has drenched me with gall.

GreekΟΥΑΥ. Ἐχόρτασέ με πικρίας, ἐμέθυσέ με χολῆς,

KJVHe hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood.

JPSHe hath filled me with bitterness, He hath sated me with wormwood.

Thomsonand broke my teeth with gravel. He drenched me with ashes.

BrentonAnd he has dashed out my teeth with gravel, he has fed me with ashes.

Greekκαὶ ἐξέβαλε ψήφῳ ὀδόντας μου· ἐψώμισέ με σποδὸν,

KJVHe hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes.

JPSHe hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, He hath made me to wallow in ashes.

ThomsonHe removed my soul far from peace. I forgot prosperity,

BrentonHe has also removed my soul from peace: I forgot prosperity.

Greekκαὶ ἀπώσατο ἐξ εἰρήνης ψυχήν μου· ἐπελαθόμην ἀγαθά.

KJVAnd thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity.

JPSAnd my soul is removed far off from peace, I forgot prosperity.

Thomsonso my strength was destroyed and the hope which I had from the Lord.

BrentonTherefore my success has perished, and my hope from the Lord.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπώλετο νῖκός μου, καὶ ἡ ἐλπίς μου ἀπὸ Κυρίου.

KJVAnd I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD:

JPSAnd I said: ‘My strength is perished, And mine expectation from the LORD.’

ThomsonI recollected because of mine affliction. When by reason of persecution, my bitterness and gall shall be remembered;

BrentonZain. I remembered by reason of my poverty, and because of persecution my bitterness and gall shall be remembered;

GreekΖΑΙΝ. Ἐμνήσθην ἀπὸ πτωχείας μου, καὶ ἐκ διωγμοῦ πικρία καὶ χολή μου μνησθήσεται,

KJV—

JPS—

Thomsonthen on myself will my soul meditate.

Brentonand my soul shall meditate with me.

Greekκαὶ καταδολεσχήσει ἐπʼ ἐμὲ ἡ ψυχή μου.

KJVMy soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.

JPSMy soul hath them still in remembrance, And is bowed down within me.

ThomsonI will lay this up in my heart.

BrentonThis will I lay up in my heart, therefore will I endure.

GreekΤαύτην τάξω εἰς τὴν καρδίαν μου, διατοῦτο ὑπομενῶ.

KJVThis I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.

JPSThis I recall to my mind, Therefore have I hope.

21a

ThomsonOn this account I will wait for the mercies of the Lord, because He hath not quite forsaken me—because His compassion is not exhausted. In the ensuing months, O Lord, exercise compassion, since we are not quite consumed—since Thy mercies are not exhausted.

BrentonHeth. It is the mercies of the Lord, that he has not failed me, because his compassions are not exhausted. Pity us, O Lord, early every month: for we are not brought to an end, because his compassions are not exhausted.

GreekΗΘ. Τὰ ἐλέη Κυρίου, ὅτι οὐκ ἐξέλιπέ με, ὅτι οὐ συνετελέσθησαν οἱ οἰκτιρμοὶ αὐτοῦ· μῆνας εἰς τὰς πρωΐας ἐλέησον Κύριε, ὅτι οὐ συνετελέσθημεν, ὅτι οὐ συνετελέσθησαν οἱ οἰκτιρμοὶ αὐτοῦ.

KJVIt is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

JPSSurely the LORD’S mercies are not consumed, Surely His compassions fail not.

21b

ThomsonNew every morning is Thine abundant faithfulness.

BrentonThey are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

GreekΚαινὰ εἰς τὰς πρωΐας, πολλὴ ἡ πίστις σου.

KJVThey are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

JPSThey are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness.

21c

ThomsonThe Lord is my portion, saith my soul, therefore I will wait for Him.

BrentonThe Lord is my portion, says my soul; therefore will I wait for him.

GreekΜερίς μου Κύριος, εἶπεν ἡ ψυχή μου· διατοῦτο ὑπομενῶ αὐτῷ·

KJVThe LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

JPS’The LORD is my portion’, saith my soul; ‘Therefore will I hope in Him.’

Thomson—

BrentonTeth. The Lord is good to them that wait for him: the soul which shall seek him

GreekΤΗΘ. Ἀγαθὸς Κύριος τοῖς ὑπομένουσιν αὐτὸν, ψυχὴ ἣ ζητήσει αὐτὸν, ἀγαθόν·

KJVThe LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

JPSThe LORD is good unto them that wait for Him, To the soul that seeketh Him.

ThomsonThe Lord is gracious to them who wait for Him; for the soul that will seek Him there is good: let it therefore wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

Brentonis good, and shall wait for, and quietly expect salvation of the Lord.

Greekκαὶ ὑπομενεῖ, καὶ ἡσυχάσει εἰς τὸ σωτήριον Κυρίου.

KJVIt is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

JPSIt is good that a man should quietly wait For the salvation of the LORD.

ThomsonIt is good for a man when he hath borne a yoke in his youth.

BrentonTeth. It is good for a man when he bears a yoke in his youth.

GreekΤΗΘ. Ἀγαθὸν ἀνδρὶ, ὅταν ἄρῃ ζυγὸν ἐν νεότητι αὐτοῦ,

KJVIt is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.

JPSIt is good for a man that he bear The yoke in his youth.

ThomsonHe will sit solitary and be silent, because he hath taken it upon him.

BrentonHe will sit alone, and be silent, because he has borne it upon him.

Greekκαθήσεται κατὰ μόνας, καὶ σιωπήσεται, ὅτι ᾖρεν ἐφʼ ἑαυτῷ.

KJVHe sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him.

JPSLet him sit alone and keep silence, Because He hath laid it upon him.

ThomsonHe will give his cheek to him who smiteth it; he will feed on reproaches,

BrentonJod. He will give his cheek to him that smites him: he will be filled full with reproaches.

GreekΙΩΔ. Δώσει τῷ παίοντι αὐτὸν σιαγόνα, χορτασθήσεται ὀνειδισμῶν·

KJVHe giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.

JPSLet him give his cheek to him that smiteth him Let him be filled full with reproach.

Thomsonbecause the Lord will not cast off forever—

BrentonFor the Lord will not reject for ever.

GreekὍτι οὐκ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα ἀπώσεται Κύριος.

KJVFor the LORD will not cast off for ever:

JPSFor the Lord will not cast off For ever.

Thomson—

BrentonChaph. For he that has brought down will pity, and that according to the abundance of his mercy.

GreekΧΑΦ. Ὅτι ὁ ταπεινώσας οἰκτειρήσει, καὶ κατὰ τὸ πλῆθος τοῦ ἐλέους αὐτοῦ,

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonHe did not answer from His heart and humble the children of men

BrentonHe has not answered in anger from his heart, though he has brought low the children of a man.

Greekοὐκ ἀπεκριθη ἀπὸ καρδίας αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐταπείνωσεν υἱοὺς ἀνδρός.

KJV—

JPS—

Thomsonwith an intent to crush under His feet all the prisoners of the earth.

BrentonLamed. To bring down under his feet all the prisoners of the earth,

GreekΛΑΜΕΔ. Τοῦ ταπεινῶσαι ὑπὸ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ πάντας δεσμίους γῆς,

KJVTo crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth,

JPSTo crush under foot All the prisoners of the earth,

ThomsonTo turn aside the cause of man from before the Most High,

Brentonto turn aside the judgment of a man before the face of the Most High,

Greekτοῦ ἐκκλίναι κρίσιν ἀνδρὸς κατέναντι προσώπου ὑψίστου,

KJVTo turn aside the right of a man before the face of the most High,

JPSTo turn aside the right of a man Before the face of the Most High,

Thomsonto condemn a man when he is [still] on trial, the Lord hath not enjoined.

Brentonto condemn a man unjustly in his judgment, the Lord has not given commandment.

Greekκαταδικάσαι ἄνθρωπον ἐν τῷ κρίνεσθαι αὐτὸν, Κύριος οὐκ εἶπε.

KJVTo subvert a man in his cause, the LORD approveth not.

JPSTo subvert a man in his cause, The Lord approveth not.

ThomsonWho ever spoke thus, and it came to pass? The Lord hath not ordered it.

BrentonWho has thus spoken, and it has come to pass? the Lord has not commanded it.

GreekΤίς οὕτως εἶπε, καὶ ἐγενήθη; Κύριος οὐκ ἐνετείλατο.

KJVWho is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?

JPSWho is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, When the Lord commandeth it not?

ThomsonFrom the mouth of the Most High shall not proceed evil and good.

BrentonOut of the mouth of the Most High there shall not come forth evil and good.

GreekἘκ στόματος ὑψίστου οὐκ ἐξελεύσεται τὰ κακὰ καὶ τὸ ἀγαθόν.

KJVOut of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?

JPSOut of the mouth of the Most High proceedeth not Evil and good?

ThomsonWhy should a living man complain over his transgressions?

BrentonMem. Why should a living man complain, a man concerning his sin?

GreekΜΗΜ. Τί γογγύσει ἄνθρωπος ζῶν, ἀνὴρ περὶ τῆς ἁμαρτίας αὐτοῦ;

KJVWherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?

JPSWherefore doth a living man complain, A strong man because of his sins?

ThomsonOur way hath been searched and tried; let us then return to the Lord.

BrentonNun. Our way has been searched out and examined, and we will turn to the Lord.

GreekΝΟΥΝ. Ἐξηρευνήθη ἡ ὁδὸς ἡμῶν καὶ ἠτάσθη, καὶ ἐπιστρέψομεν ἕως Κυρίου.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonLet us offer up our hearts on our hands to Him Who is High in heaven.

BrentonLet us lift up our hearts with our hands to the lofty One in heaven.

GreekἈναλάβωμεν καρδίας ἡμῶν ἐπὶ χειρῶν πρὸς ὑψηλὸν ἐν οὐρανῷ.

KJVLet us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.

JPSLet us lift up our heart with our hands Unto God in the heavens.

ThomsonWe have sinned; we have been guilty of impiety; and Thou hast not been appeased.

BrentonWe have sinned, we have transgressed; and thou hast not pardoned.

GreekἩμαρτήσαμεν, ἠσεβήσαμεν, καὶ οὐχ ἱλάσθης.

KJVWe have transgressed and have rebelled: thou hast not pardoned.

JPSWe have transgressed and have rebelled; Thou hast not pardoned.

ThomsonThou hast covered with wrath and discarded us; Thou hast slain and hast not spared.

BrentonSamech. Thou hast visited us in wrath, and driven us away: thou hast slain, thou hast not pitied.

GreekΣΑΜΕΧ. Ἐπεσκέπασας ἐν ʼθυμῷ, καὶ ἀπεδίωξας ἡμᾶς, ἀπέκτεινας, οὐκ ἐφείσω.

KJVThou hast covered with anger, and persecuted us: thou hast slain, thou hast not pitied.

JPSThou hast covered with anger and pursued us; Thou hast slain unsparingly.

ThomsonThou hast covered Thyself with a cloud because of prayer, that I may shut mine eyes and

BrentonThou hast veiled thyself with a cloud because of prayer, that I might be blind,

GreekἘπεσκέπασας νεφέλην σεαυτῷ ἕινεκεν προσευχῆς,

KJVThou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through.

JPSThou hast covered Thyself with a cloud, So that no prayer can pass through.

Thomsonbe cast off. Thou hast placed us in the midst of the peoples;

Brentonand be cast off. Ain. Thou hast set us alone in the midst of the nations.

Greekκαμμύσαι με καὶ ἀπωσθῆναι. ΑΙΝ. Ἔθηκας ἡμᾶς ἐν μέσῳ τῶν λαῶν.

KJVThou hast made us as the offscouring and refuse in the midst of the people.

JPSThou hast made us as the offscouring and refuse In the midst of the peoples.

Thomsonall our enemies have opened their mouths against us.

BrentonAll our enemies have opened their mouth against us.

GreekΔιήνοιξαν ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς τὸ στόμα αὐτῶν πάντες οἱ ἐχθροὶ ἡμῶν.

KJVAll our enemies have opened their mouths against us.

JPSAll our enemies have opened their mouth Wide against us.

ThomsonOn us are come terror and wrath, desolation and destruction.

BrentonFear and wrath are come upon us, suspense and destruction.

GreekΦόβος καὶ θυμὸς ἐγενήθη ἡμῖν, ἔπαρσις καὶ συντριβή.

KJVFear and a snare is come upon us, desolation and destruction.

JPSTerror and the pit are come upon us, Desolation and destruction.

ThomsonLet streams of water be collected by mine eye, for the destruction of the daughter of my people.

BrentonMine eye shall pour down torrents of water, for the destruction of the daughter of my people.

GreekἈφέσεις ὑδάτων κατάξει ὁ ὀφθαλμός μου ἐπὶ τὸ σύντριμμα τῆς θυγατρὸς τοῦ λαοῦ μου.

KJVMine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people.

JPSMine eye runneth down with rivers of water, For the breach of the daughter of my people.

ThomsonMine eye is bathed in tears and I cannot keep silence that it may dry,

BrentonPhe. Mine eye is drowned with tears, and I will not be silent, so that there shall be no rest,

GreekΦΗ. Ὁ ὀφθαλμός μου κατεπόθη, καὶ οὐ σιγήσομαι τοῦ μὴ εἶναι ἔκνηψιν,

KJV—

JPS—

Thomsonuntil the Lord look down from heaven and behold.

Brentonuntil the Lord look down, and behold from heaven.

Greekἕως οὗ διακύψῃ καὶ ἴδῃ Κύριος ἐξ οὐρανοῦ.

KJVTill the LORD look down, and behold from heaven.

JPSTill the LORD look forth, And behold from heaven.

ThomsonLet mine eye be more watchful for my life, than all the daughters of a city.

BrentonMine eye shall prey upon my soul, because of all the daughters of the city.

GreekὉ ὀφθαλμός μου ἐπιφυλλιεῖ ἐπὶ τὴν ψυχήν μου παρὰ πάσας θυγατέρας πόλεως.

KJVMine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city.

JPSMine eye affected my soul, Because of all the daughters of my city.

ThomsonWith eagerness all mine enemies have hunted me like an ostrich;

BrentonTsade. The fowlers chased me as a sparrow, all mine enemies destroyed my life in a pit without cause,

GreekΤΣΑΔΗ. Θηρεύοντες ἐθήρευσάν με ὡς στρουθίον· πάντες οἱ ἐχθροί μου δωρεὰν

KJVMine enemies chased me sore, like a bird, without cause.

JPSThey have chased me sore like a bird, That are mine enemies without cause.

Thomsonwithout cause they have condemned me to die in a dungeon, and placed a stone over me.

Brentonand laid a stone upon me.

Greekἐθανάτωσαν ἐν λάκκῳ ζωήν μου, καὶ ἐπέθηκαν λίθον ἐπʼ ἐμοί.

KJVThey have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me.

JPSThey have cut off my life in the dungeon, And have cast stones upon me.

ThomsonWater was poured above upon my head. I said, I am cast off.

BrentonWater flowed over my head: I said, I am cut off.

GreekὙπερεχύθη ὕδωρ ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλήν μου· εἶπα, ἄπωσμαι.

KJVWaters flowed over mine head; then I said, I am cut off.

JPSWaters flowed over my head; I said: ‘I am cut off.’

ThomsonI called on Thy name, O Lord, out of the deepest dungeon.

BrentonKoph. I called upon thy name, O Lord, out of the lowest dungeon.

GreekΚΩΦ. Ἐπεκαλεσάμην τὸ ὄνομά σου, Κύριε, ἐκ λάκκου κατωτάτου·

KJVI called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon.

JPSI called upon Thy name, O LORD, Out of the lowest dungeon.

ThomsonThou hast heard my voice; stop not Thine ear against my supplication.

BrentonThou heardest my voice: close not thine ears to my supplication.

GreekΦωνήν μου ἤκουσας· μὴ κρύψῃς τὰ ὦτά σου εἰς τὴν δέησίν μου·

KJVThou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry.

JPSThou heardest my voice; hide not Thine ear at my sighing, at my cry.

ThomsonTo my assistance Thou didst draw near. On the day I called on Thee, Thou saidst to me, Fear not.

BrentonThou drewest nigh to my help: in the day wherein I called upon thee thou saidst to me, Fear not.

GreekΕἰς τὴν βοήθειάν μου ἤγγισας· ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ᾗ ἐπεκαλεσάμην σε εἶπάς μοι, μὴ φοβοῦ.

KJVThou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not.

JPSThou drewest near in the day that I called upon Thee; Thou saidst: ‘Fear not.’ .

ThomsonThou, O Lord, hast pleaded the causes of my soul; Thou hast redeemed my life.

BrentonRechs. O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.

GreekΡΗΧΣ. Ἐδίκασας, Κύριε, τὰς δίκας τῆς ψυχῆς μου, ἐλυτρώσω τὴν ζωήν μου.

KJVO LORD, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.

JPSO Lord, Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; Thou hast redeemed my life.

ThomsonThou, O Lord, hast seen my wrongs; Thou hast decided my cause.

BrentonThou hast seen, O Lord, my troubles: thou hast judged my cause.

GreekἼδες, Κύριε, τὰς ταραχάς μου, ἔκρινας τὴν κρίσιν μου.

KJVO LORD, thou hast seen my wrong: judge thou my cause.

JPSO LORD, Thou hast seen my wrong; Judge Thou my cause.

ThomsonThou hast seen all their vengeance—into all their devices against me.

BrentonThou hast seen all their vengeance, thou hast looked on all their devices against me.

GreekΕἶδες πᾶσαν τὴν ἐκδίκησιν αὐτῶν, εἰς πάντας διαλογισμοὺς αὐτῶν ἐν ἐμοί.

KJVThou hast seen all their vengeance and all their imaginations against me.

JPSThou hast seen all their vengeance And all their devices against me.

ThomsonThou hast heard their reproach—all their charges against me—

BrentonChsen. Thou hast heard their reproach and all their devices against me;

GreekΧΣΕΝ. Ἤκουσας τὸν ὀνειδισμὸν αὐτῶν, πάντας τοὺς διαλογισμοὺς αὐτῶν κατʼ ἐμοῦ,

KJVThou hast heard their reproach, O LORD, and all their imaginations against me;

JPSThou hast heard their taunt, O LORD, And all their devices against me;

Thomsonthe speeches of them who accused me; their studied harangues against me all the day long.

Brentonthe lips of them that rose up against me, and their plots against me all the day;

Greekχείλη ἐπανισταμένων μοι, καὶ μελέτας αὐτῶν κατʼ ἐμοῦ ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν,

KJVThe lips of those that rose up against me, and their device against me all the day.

JPSThe lips of those that rose up against me, And their muttering against me all the day.

ThomsonAt their sitting down and their rising up, look down on their eyes.

Brentontheir sitting down and their rising up: look thou upon their eyes.

Greekκαθέδραν αὐτῶν, καὶ ἀνάστασιν αὐτῶν· ἐπίβλεψον ἐπὶ ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν.

KJVBehold their sitting down, and their rising up; I am their musick.

JPSBehold Thou their sitting down, and their rising up; I am their song.

ThomsonThou, O Lord, wilt render them a recompence according to the works of their hands.

BrentonThou wilt render them a recompence, O Lord, according to the works of their hands.

GreekἈποδώσεις αὐτοῖς ἀνταπόδομα, Κύριε, κατὰ τὰ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν αὐτῶν.

KJVRender unto them a recompence, O LORD, according to the work of their hands.

JPSThou wilt render unto them a recompense, O LORD, According to the work of their hands.

Thomson—

BrentonThau. Thou wilt give them as a covering, the grief of my heart.

GreekΘΑΥ. Ἀποδώσεις αὐτοῖς ὑπερασπισμὸν, καρδίας μου μόχθον.

KJVGive them sorrow of heart, thy curse unto them.

JPSThou wilt give them hardness of heart, Thy curse unto them.

ThomsonThou wilt give them for a shield the sorrow of my heart. Thou wilt pursue them with indignation, and destroy them utterly from under heaven.

BrentonThou wilt persecute them in anger, and wilt consume them from under the heaven, O Lord.

GreekΣὺ αὐτοὺς καταδιώξεις ἐν ὀργῇ, καὶ ἐξαναλώσεις αὐτοὺς ὑποκάτωθεν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, Κύριε.

KJVPersecute and destroy them in anger from under the heavens of the LORD.

JPSThou wilt pursue them in anger, and destroy them From under the heavens of the LORD.