I have cried until my face is red, and my eyes are swollen and circled with shadows,

I can hardly see; my eyes are so swollen from the weeping caused by my enemies.

Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am in trouble; my eyes are tired from so much crying; I am completely worn out.

I am exhausted by sorrow, and weeping has shortened my life. I am weak from all my troubles; even my bones are wasting away.

We are sick at our very hearts and can hardly see through our tears,

Like an evening shadow I am about to vanish; I am blown away like an insect.

How can anyone know what is best for us in this short, useless life of ours---a life that passes like a shadow? How can we know what will happen in the world after we die?