Elijah walked a whole day into the wilderness. He stopped and sat down under a broom plant and wished he would die. It is just too much, Jehovah, he prayed. Take away my life. I could just as well be dead.

Why is light given to those in misery, and life to the bitter in heart?

I would rather die of strangulation than go on and on like this.

If only you would hide me in the grave (Sheol) and conceal me till your anger has passed! If only you would set a time for me and then remember me!

Cursed is the day when I was born. Let the day not be blessed when my mother bore me!

Now, O Jehovah, please take my life from me for it is better for me to die than to live.

I am hard pressed between the two. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ for it is far better.

Work

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun. Behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

I saw under the sun the place of judgment and wickedness was there. And wickedness was in the place of righteousness.

The Spirit lifted me and took me away. I went away feeling bitter and angry. The strong power of Jehovah came over me.

Why do you make me see wickedness and immorality? Destruction and violence are before me. Strife exists and contention arises.

For

I looked at all the works my hands accomplished. I saw everything I had worked to do. I saw that all was vanity and grasping for the wind. It was to no purpose for there was no profit under the sun.

Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering after the desire. This is also vanity and a striving after wind.

Remember how short my life span is! Have you created the sons of men for no reason?

General references

Vanity of vanities, said the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive.

Vanity of vanities, says the preacher; all is vanity.