Psalms 142:2

²⁶In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered.

¹⁶LORD, in trouble they have visited you. They poured out a prayer when your chastening was on them.

⁶In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

⁸Trust in him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us. Selah.

⁷He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear,

¹Hear my prayer, LORD!Let ^[+] my cry come to you. ²Don’t hide your face from me in the day of my distress. Turn your ear to me. Answer me quickly in the day when I call. ³For my days consume away like smoke. My bones are burned as a torch. ⁴My heart is blighted like grass, and withered, for I forget to eat my bread. ⁵By reason of the voice of my groaning, my bones stick to my skin. ⁶I am like a pelican of the wilderness. I have become as an owl of the waste places. ⁷I watch, and have become like a sparrow that is alone on the housetop. ⁸My enemies reproach me all day. Those who are mad at me use my name as a curse. ⁹For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mixed my drink with tears, ¹⁰because of your indignation and your wrath; for you have taken me up and thrown me away. ¹¹My days are like a long shadow. I have withered like grass. ¹²But you, LORD, will remain forever; your renown endures to all generations. ¹³You will arise and have mercy on Zion, for it is time to have pity on her. Yes, the set time has come. ¹⁴For your servants take pleasure in her stones, and have pity on her dust. ¹⁵So the nations will fear the LORD’s name, all the kings of the earth your glory. ¹⁶For the LORD has built up Zion. He has appeared in his glory. ¹⁷He has responded to the prayer of the destitute, and has not despised their prayer. ¹⁸This will be written for the generation to come. A people which will be created will praise the LORD,^19[+] for he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary. From heaven, the LORD saw the earth, ²⁰to hear the groans of the prisoner, to free those who are condemned to death, ²¹that men may declare the LORD’s name in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem, ²²when the peoples are gathered together, the kingdoms, to serve the LORD. ²³He weakened my strength along the course. He shortened my days. ²⁴I said, “My God, don’t take me away in the middle of my days. Your years are throughout all generations. ²⁵Of old, you laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the work of your hands. ²⁶They will perish, but you will endure. Yes, all of them will wear out like a garment. You will change them like a cloak, and they will be changed. ²⁷But you are the same. Your years will have no end. ²⁸The children of your servants will continue. Their offspring will be established before you.”

¹⁵Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have not been drinking wine or strong drink, but I poured out my soul before the LORD. ¹⁶Don’t consider your servant a wicked woman; for I have been speaking out of the abundance of my complaint and my provocation.”

⁴The cords of death surrounded me. The floods of ungodliness made me afraid. ⁵The cords of Sheol^[+] were around me. The snares of death came on me. ⁶In my distress I called on the LORD, and cried to my God. He heard my voice out of his temple. My cry before him came into his ears.

⁴These things I remember, and pour out my soul within me, how I used to go with the crowd, and led them to God’s house, with the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping a holy day.