Comfort from the Word – Day 4

₁I love the LORD, because he hears me;

he listens to my prayers.

₂He listens to me

every time I call to him.

₃The danger of death was all round me;

the horrors of the grave closed in on me;

I was filled with fear and anxiety.

₄Then I called to the LORD,

“I beg you, LORD, save me!”

₅The LORD is merciful and good;

our God is compassionate.

₆The LORD protects the helpless;

when I was in danger, he saved me.

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.

₃But you are enthroned as the Holy One,

the one whom Israel praises.

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

he does not turn away from them,

but answers when they call for help.”

₂₅In the full assembly I will praise you for what you have done;

in the presence of those who worship you

I will offer the sacrifices I promised.

₁₃₇You are righteous, LORD,

and your laws are just.

₁₃₈The rules that you have given

are completely fair and right.

₁₃₉My anger burns in me like a fire,

because my enemies disregard your commands.

₁₄₀How certain your promise is!

How I love it!

₁₄₁I am unimportant and despised,

but I do not neglect your teachings.

₁₄₂Your righteousness will last for ever,

and your law is always true.

₁₄₃I am filled with trouble and anxiety,

but your commandments bring me joy.

₁₄₄Your instructions are always just;

give me understanding, and I shall live.

₅The oppressed look to him and are glad;

they will never be disappointed.

₆The helpless call to him, and he answers;

he saves them from all their troubles.

₇His angel guards those who honour the LORD

and rescues them from danger.

₁₆Turn to me, LORD, and be merciful to me,

because I am lonely and weak.

₁₇Relieve me of my worries

and save me from all my troubles.

₁₈Consider my distress and suffering

and forgive all my sins.

₁₉See how many enemies I have;

see how much they hate me.

₂₀Protect me and save me;

keep me from defeat.

I come to you for safety.

₂₁May my goodness and honesty preserve me,

because I trust in you.

₂₂From all their troubles, O God,

save your people Israel!

₇Hear me, LORD, when I call to you!

Be merciful and answer me!

₈When you said, “Come and worship me,”

I answered, “I will come, LORD;

₉don't hide yourself from me!”

Don't be angry with me;

don't turn your servant away.

You have been my help;

don't leave me, don't abandon me,

O God, my saviour.

₁₀My father and mother may abandon me,

but the LORD will take care of me.

₁₁Teach me, LORD, what you want me to do,

and lead me along a safe path,

because I have many enemies.

₁₂Don't abandon me to my enemies,

who attack me with lies and threats.

₁₃I know that I will live to see

the LORD's goodness in this present life.

₁₄Trust in the LORD.

Have faith, do not despair.

Trust in the LORD.

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.

₁₄But my trust is in you, O LORD;

you are my God.

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.

₁₄Save me from sinking in the mud;

keep me safe from my enemies,

safe from the deep water.

₁₅Don't let the flood come over me;

don't let me drown in the depths

or sink into the grave.

₁₆Answer me, LORD, in the goodness of your constant love;

in your great compassion turn to me!

₁₇Don't hide yourself from your servant;

I am in great trouble — answer me now!

₁₈Come to me and save me;

rescue me from my enemies.

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.

₃₄Praise God, O heaven and earth,

seas and all creatures in them.

₃₅He will save Jerusalem

and rebuild the towns of Judah.

His people will live there and possess the land;

₃₆the descendants of his servants will inherit it,

and those who love him will live there.