The Book of Psalms

I will cry out to God; I will cry aloud to him, and he will listen to me.

At the time that I had trouble, I prayed to the Lord; all during the night I lifted up my hands while I prayed, but nothing could comfort me.

When I thought about God, I despaired; when I meditated about him, I grew discouraged.

All during the night he prevented me from sleeping; I was so worried that I did not know what to say.

I thought about days that had passed; I remembered what had happened in previous years.

I spent all the night thinking about things; I meditated, and this is what I asked myself:

“Will the Lord always reject me? Will he never again be pleased with me?

Has he stopped faithfully loving me? Will he not do for me what he promised to do?

God promised to act mercifully toward me; has he forgotten that? Because he is angry with me, has he decided not to be kind to me?”

I said, “What causes me to be sad the most is that it seems that God, who is greater than any other god, is no longer using his power for us.”

But then, Yahweh, I recall your great deeds; I remember the wonderful things that you did in the past.

I meditate on all that you have done, and I think about your mighty acts.

God, everything that you do is amazing; there is certainly no god who is great like you are!

You are God, the one who performs miracles; you showed to the people of many people groups that you are powerful.

By your power you rescued your people from Egypt; you saved those who were descendants of Jacob and his son Joseph.

It was as though the waters saw you and became very afraid, and even the deepest part of the water shook.

Rain poured down from the clouds; it thundered very loudly, and lightning flashed in all directions.

Thunder crashed in the whirlwind, your voice! Lightning lit up, and the earth shook violently.

Then you walked through the sea in a path that you made through the deep water, but your footprints could not be seen.

You led your people as a shepherd leads his flock of sheep while Moses and Aaron were the leaders of your people.

My cry goes to God! Indeed, I cry to God for help, and for him to listen to me.

In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord. My hand was stretched out in the night, and didn’t get tired. My soul refused to be comforted.

I remember God, and I groan. I complain, and my spirit is overwhelmed. Selah.

You hold my eyelids open. I am so troubled that I can’t speak.

I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.

I remember my song in the night. I consider in my own heart; my spirit diligently inquires:

“Will the Lord reject us forever? Will he be favorable no more?

Has his loving kindness vanished forever? Does his promise fail for generations?

Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he, in anger, withheld his compassion?” Selah.

Then I thought, “I will appeal to this: the years of the right hand of the Most High.”

I will remember the LORD’s deeds; for I will remember your wonders of old.

I will also meditate on all your work, and consider your doings.

Your way, God, is in the sanctuary. What god is great like God?

You are the God who does wonders. You have made your strength known among the peoples.

You have redeemed your people with your arm, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.

The waters saw you, God. The waters saw you, and they writhed. The depths also convulsed.

The clouds poured out water. The skies resounded with thunder. Your arrows also flashed around.

The voice of your thunder was in the whirlwind. The lightnings lit up the world. The earth trembled and shook.

Your way was through the sea, your paths through the great waters. Your footsteps were not known.

You led your people like a flock, by the hand of Moses and Aaron.