A Prayer for Help
1Listen to me, LORD, and answer me,
for I am helpless and weak.
2Save me from death, because I am loyal to you;
save me, for I am your servant and I trust in you.
3You are my God, so be merciful to me;
I pray to you all day long.
4Make your servant glad, O Lord,
because my prayers go up to you.
5You are good to us and forgiving,
full of constant love for all who pray to you.
6Listen, LORD, to my prayer;
hear my cries for help.
7I call to you in times of trouble,
because you answer my prayers.
8There is no god like you, O Lord,
not one has done what you have done.
9All the nations that you have created
will come and bow down to you;
they will praise your greatness.
10You are mighty and do wonderful things;
you alone are God.
11Teach me, LORD, what you want me to do,
and I will obey you faithfully;
teach me to serve you with complete devotion.
12I will praise you with all my heart, O Lord my God;
I will proclaim your greatness for ever.
13How great is your constant love for me!
You have saved me from the grave itself.
14The proud are coming against me, O God;
a cruel gang is trying to kill me —
people who pay no attention to you.
15But you, O Lord, are a merciful and loving God,
always patient, always kind and faithful.
16Turn to me and have mercy on me;
strengthen me and save me,
because I serve you, just as my mother did.
17Show me proof of your goodness, LORD;
those who hate me will be ashamed
when they see that you have given me comfort and help.