Study Desk

מ Mem He sent fire from heaven into my bones; He made it descend. He spread a net for my feet and turned me back. He made me desolate, sick all day long.

ע Ayin I weep because of these things; my eyes flow with tears. For there is no one nearby to comfort me, no one to keep me alive. My children are desolate because the enemy has prevailed.

צ Tsade The Lord is just, for I have rebelled against His command. Listen, all you people; look at my pain. My young men and women have gone into captivity.

ק Qof I called to my lovers, but they betrayed me. My priests and elders perished in the city while searching for food to keep themselves alive.

ר Resh Lord , see how I am in distress. I am churning within; my heart is broken, for I have been very rebellious. Outside, the sword takes the children; inside, there is death.

ת Tav Let all their wickedness come before You, and deal with them as You have dealt with me because of all my transgressions. For my groans are many, and I am sick at heart.

מ Mem What can I say on your behalf? What can I compare you to, Daughter Jerusalem? What can I liken you to, so that I may console you, Virgin Daughter Zion? For your ruin is as vast as the sea. Who can heal you?

נ Nun Your prophets saw visions for you that were empty and deceptive; they did not reveal your guilt and so restore your fortunes. They saw oracles for you that were empty and misleading.

פ Pe All your enemies open their mouths against you. They hiss and gnash their teeth, saying, "We have swallowed her up. This is the day we have waited for! We have lived to see it."

ק Qof Arise, cry out in the night from the first watch of the night. Pour out your heart like water before the Lord's presence. Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children who are fainting from hunger on the corner of every street.

ת Tav You summoned my attackers on every side, as if for an appointed festival day; on the day of the Lord 's anger no one escaped or survived. My enemy has destroyed those I nurtured and reared.

He has made me dwell in darkness like those who have been dead for ages.

Even when I cry out and plead for help, He rejects my prayer.

He strung His bow and set me as the target for His arrow.

ח Khet Because of the Lord 's faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end.

ט Tet The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him.

It is good to wait quietly for deliverance from the Lord .

It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is still young.

י Yod Let him sit alone and be silent, for God has disciplined him.

כ Kaf For the Lord will not reject us forever.