9As a cloud vanishes and is gone,

so he who goes down to the grave^a does not return.

10He will never come to his house again;

his place will know him no more.

11“Therefore I will not keep silent;

I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit,

I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

12Am I the sea, or the monster of the deep,

that you put me under guard?

13When I think my bed will comfort me

and my couch will ease my complaint,

14even then you frighten me with dreams

and terrify me with visions,

15so that I prefer strangling and death,

rather than this body of mine.

16I despise my life; I would not live forever.

Let me alone; my days have no meaning.

17“What is man that you make so much of him,

that you give him so much attention,

18that you examine him every morning

and test him every moment?

19Will you never look away from me,

or let me alone even for an instant?

20If I have sinned, what have I done to you,

O watcher of men?

Why have you made me your target?

Have I become a burden to you?^b

21Why do you not pardon my offenses

and forgive my sins?

For I will soon lie down in the dust;

you will search for me, but I will be no more.”