Litany of Lament

Help, YHWH! No one is loving any more. (Psalm 12:1)

My soul is in deep anguish.

    How long, YHWH, how long? (Psalm 6:3)

How long, YHWH? Will you forget me forever?

    How long will you hide your face from me?

How long must I wrestle with my anguish,

    And wallow in despair all day long? (Psalm 13:1-2)

I am worn out from my groaning.

All night long I flood my bed with weeping

    and drench my couch with tears. (Psalm 6:6)

My heart is tortured inside me;

    Terrors of death assail me.

Fear and trembling invade me;

    Horror overwhelms me.  (Psalm 55:4-5)

Rouse yourself! Why do you sleep, O Lord?

     Awake, do not cast us off forever!

Why do you hide your face?

     Why do you forget our affliction and oppression? (Psalm 44:23-24)

Wake up, YHWH!

    Rise up in your anger

Against the fury of my enemies!

    Awake, my God, and give me justice!  (Psalm 7:6)

Put an end to the violence all around me!

    Make the just feel secure, O God of justice,

You who test mind and heart!  (Psalm 7:9)

YHWH, my God, I take refuge in you,

     Save me from those who hound me! (Psalm 7:1)

“Because they oppress the helpless,

     Because the poor sigh and moan,

Now I will rise up!” says YHWH.  (Psalm 12:5)

Away from me, all you who do evil,

    for YHWH has heard my weeping.

YHWH has heard my cry for mercy;

   and accepts my prayer. (Psalm 6:8-9)