The Prophet’s Hope

19 Remember my affliction and wandering,

the wormwood and the gall.

20 Surely my soul remembers

and is humbled within me.

21 Yet I call this to mind,

and therefore I have hope:

22 Because of the loving devotion [fn] of the LORD we are not consumed,

for His mercies never fail.

23 They are new every morning;

great is Your faithfulness!

24 “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,

“therefore I will hope in Him.”

25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him,

to the soul who seeks Him.

26 It is good to wait quietly

for the salvation of the LORD.

27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke

while he is still young.

28 Let him sit alone in silence,

for God has disciplined him.

29 Let him bury his face in the dust—

perhaps there is still hope.

30 Let him offer his cheek to the one who would strike him;

let him be filled with reproach.

31 For the Lord will not

cast us off forever.

32 Even if He causes grief, He will show compassion

according to His abundant loving devotion.

33 For He does not willingly afflict

or grieve the sons of men.

34 To crush underfoot

all the prisoners of the land,

35 to deny a man justice

before the Most High,

36 to subvert a man in his lawsuit—

of these the Lord does not approve.