A reading from the book of the prophet Job.

Is not our life on earth a drudgery?

Are not our days those of a hireling?

We are slaves who pant for the shade,

hirelings who wait for our wages.

So I have been assigned months of misery,

and troubled nights have been appointed for me.

When I go to bed I say,

“When will I wake up?”

Then the night drags on,

and I toss and turn until dawn.

My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle;

my hope snaps like a thread.

Remember that my life is as ephemeral as breath;

I will not see happiness again.

The Word of God recorded in the book of the prophet Job.

R:  God heals the broken-hearted.

Praise God, who is good,

sing praise to Our God, who is gracious.

It is fitting to praise God.

God rebuilds Jerusalem,

gathers the exiles of Israel.

R:  God heals the broken-hearted.

God heals the brokenhearted

and binds up all their wounds.

God knows the number of the stars

and calls them each by name.

R:  God heals the broken-hearted.

Great is Our God and mighty in power,

there is no limit to God’s wisdom.

Our God sustains the lowly

and casts the wicked to the ground.

R: God heals the broken-hearted.