"But now I will come," says the LORD, "because the needy are oppressed and the persecuted groan in pain. I will give them the security they long for."

In despair and far from home I call to you! Take me to a safe refuge,

Save me, O God! The water is up to my neck;

I 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.

I bring him all my complaints; I tell him all my troubles.

When I am ready to give up, he knows what I should do. In the path where I walk, my enemies have hidden a trap for me.

So I am ready to give up; I am in deep despair.

I do not have much longer to live; my hope in the LORD is gone.

I think of it constantly, and my spirit is depressed.

He took Peter, James, and John with him. Distress and anguish came over him,

and he said to them, "The sorrow in my heart is so great that it almost crushes me. Stay here and keep watch."

In great anguish he prayed even more fervently; his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

In his life on earth Jesus made his prayers and requests with loud cries and tears to God, who could save him from death. Because he was humble and devoted, God heard him.

My heart breaks when I remember the past, when I went with the crowds to the house of God and led them as they walked along, a happy crowd, singing and shouting praise to God.

Trust in God at all times, my people. Tell him all your troubles, for he is our refuge.

When I think of God, I sigh; when I meditate, I feel discouraged.

I bring him all my complaints; I tell him all my troubles.

"No, I'm not drunk, sir," she answered. "I haven't been drinking! I am desperate, and I have been praying, pouring out my troubles to the LORD.

Don't think I am a worthless woman. I have been praying like this because I'm so miserable."

Listen to my cry for help, my God and king! I pray to you, O LORD;

Hear my prayer, O God; don't turn away from my plea!

I am terrified by the threats of my enemies, crushed by the oppression of the wicked. They bring trouble on me; they are angry with me and hate me.

I am gripped by fear and trembling; I am overcome with horror.

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful, because I come to you for safety. In the shadow of your wings I find protection until the raging storms are over.

He will answer from heaven and save me; he will defeat my oppressors. God will show me his constant love and faithfulness.

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

Hear my cry, O Lord; listen to my call for help!

Happy are those who are concerned for the poor; the LORD will help them when they are in trouble.

The LORD will protect them and preserve their lives; he will make them happy in the land; he will not abandon them to the power of their enemies.

Answer me now, LORD! I have lost all hope. Don't hide yourself from me, or I will be among those who go down to the world of the dead.

He supplies the needs of those who honor him; he hears their cries and saves them.

In my trouble I called to the LORD; I called to my God for help. In his temple he heard my voice; he listened to my cry for help.

Years later the king of Egypt died, but the Israelites were still groaning under their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry went up to God,

So they got rid of their foreign gods and worshiped the LORD; and he became troubled over Israel's distress.

"Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the tribe of Benjamin; anoint him as ruler of my people Israel, and he will rescue them from the Philistines. I have seen the suffering of my people and have heard their cries for help."

The priests and the Levites asked the LORD's blessing on the people. In his home in heaven God heard their prayers and accepted them.

I cry aloud for help, but God refuses to listen;

By a cloud of fury too thick for our prayers to get through.