Comfort from the Word – Day 18

₁My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

I have cried desperately for help,

but still it does not come.

₂During the day I call to you, my God,

but you do not answer;

I call at night,

but get no rest.

₄Our ancestors put their trust in you;

they trusted you, and you saved them.

₅They called to you and escaped from danger;

they trusted you and were not disappointed.

₂₄He does not neglect the poor or ignore their suffering;

he does not turn away from them,

but answers when they call for help.”

₁Save me, O God!

The water is up to my neck;

₂I am sinking in deep mud,

and there is no solid ground;

I am out in deep water,

and the waves are about to drown me.

₃I am worn out from calling for help,

and my throat is aching.

I have strained my eyes,

looking for your help.

₂₉But I am in pain and despair;

lift me up, O God, and save me!

₃₀I will praise God with a song;

I will proclaim his greatness by giving him thanks.

₃₁This will please the LORD more than offering him cattle,

more than sacrificing a full-grown bull.

₃₂When the oppressed see this, they will be glad;

those who worship God will be encouraged.

₃₃The LORD listens to those in need

and does not forget his people in prison.

₉Be merciful to me, LORD,

for I am in trouble;

my eyes are tired from so much crying;

I am completely worn out.

₁₀I am exhausted by sorrow,

and weeping has shortened my life.

I am weak from all my troubles;

even my bones are wasting away.

₁₁All my enemies, and especially my neighbours,

treat me with contempt;

those who know me are afraid of me;

when they see me in the street, they run away.

₁₂Everyone has forgotten me, as though I were dead;

I am like something thrown away.

₁₃I hear many enemies whispering;

terror is all round me.

They are making plans against me,

plotting to kill me.

₁From the depths of my despair I call to you, LORD.

₂Hear my cry, O Lord;

listen to my call for help!

₃If you kept a record of our sins,

who could escape being condemned?

₄But you forgive us,

so that we should stand in awe of you.

₅I wait eagerly for the LORD's help,

and in his word I trust.

₆I wait for the Lord

more eagerly than watchmen wait for the dawn —

than watchmen wait for the dawn.

₇Israel, trust in the LORD,

because his love is constant

and he is always willing to save.

₈He will save his people Israel

from all their sins.