Bible Stories: Job (Chapter X)

I speak with bitterness of soul, ‘I hate my life; don’t prove me wrong. O God, why do you oppose me? Does oppression give pleasure, Lord? ’ ‘Why spurn the good work of your hands? Can’t you perceive like how man sees? Is your lifetime akin mortals? You know I’m not a wicked man, And yet you seek my sins and guilt! ’ ‘You fashioned me with your own hands And then, why destroy me, O God? From clay, you made me very well Do you want to turn me to dust? ’ ‘Like milk, you poured me, made me cheese! You clothed my bones with flesh and skin; You gave me grace and spirit too; You hide your purpose in your heart! ’ ‘You watch me sin but suffer guilt; If I’m wicked, alas for me! If righteous, what’s the advantage To live in shame and afflicted? ’ ‘A lion-like, you hunt me down And show your mighty power, Lord; Repeatedly, you attack me And harass me, so often, God.’ ‘Why out of womb, you brought me live? I should have died without notice; Had I ne’er lived, how much better? From womb, you could have shown my tomb! ’ ‘Are not my days on earth just few? Leave me ’lone to recoup a bit, Before I go to ne’er return, From land of darkness and of gloom- The land where darkness is but light! ’ Copyright by Dr John Celes 4-29-2007