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I am very near to falling; my pain is with me
always. I acknowledge my guilt and grieve over my sin. But many
are my foes without cause, a multitude of enemies without reason,
Repaying me evil for good, harassing me for pursuing good. Forsake
me not, O LORD; my God, be not far from me! Come quickly to help
me, my Lord and my salvation! [PS 38:18-23]
LORD, graciously rescue me! Come quickly to help
me, LORD! Put to shame and confound all who seek to take my life.
Turn back in disgrace those who desire my ruin. Let those who say
"Aha!" know dismay and shame. But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you. May those who long for your help
always say, "The LORD be glorified." Though I am
afflicted and poor, the Lord keeps me in mind. You are my help and
deliverer; my God, do not delay! [PS 40:14-18]
Awake! Why do you sleep, O Lord? Rise up! Do not
reject us forever! Why do you hide your face; why forget our pain
and misery? We are bowed down to the ground; our bodies are
pressed to the earth. Rise up, help us! Redeem us as your love
demands. [PS 44:24-27]
God is our refuge and our strength, an
ever-present help in distress. Thus we do not fear, though earth
be shaken and mountains quake to the depths of the sea, Though its
waters rage and foam and mountains totter at its surging. The LORD
of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob. [Taken
from PS 46:2-4]
Streams of the river gladden the city of God,
the holy dwelling of the Most High. God is in its midst; it shall
not be shaken; God will help it at break of day. [PS 46:5-6]
God is present as my helper; the Lord
sustains my life. [PS 54:6]
Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me. In you
I seek shelter. In the shadow of your wings I seek shelter till
harm pass by. I call to God Most High, to God who provides for me.
May God send help from heaven to save me, shame those who trample
upon me. May God send fidelity and love. [Taken from PS 57:2-4]
Help with your right hand and answer us that
your loved ones may escape. [PS 60:7]
Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who
will lead me into Edom? Was it not you who rejected us, God? Do
you no longer march with our armies? Give us aid against the foe;
worthless is human help. We will triumph with the help of God, who
will trample down our foes. [PS 60:11-14]
I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift
up my hands, calling on your name. My soul shall savor the rich
banquet of praise, with joyous lips my mouth shall honor you! When
I think of you upon my bed, through the night watches I will
recall That you indeed are my help, and in the shadow of your
wings I shout for joy. My soul clings fast to you; your right hand
upholds me. [PS 63:5-9]
But I pray to you, LORD, for the time of
your favor. God, in your great kindness answer me with your
constant help. [PS 69:14]
But I am afflicted and in pain; let your saving
help protect me, God, That I may praise God's name in song and
glorify it with thanksgiving. [PS 69:30-31]
Graciously rescue me, God! Come quickly to help
me, LORD! Confound and put to shame those who seek my life. Turn
back in disgrace those who desire my ruin. Let those who say
"Aha!" turn back in their shame. But may all who seek
you rejoice and be glad in you. May those who long for your help
always say, "God be glorified!" Here I am, afflicted and
poor. God, come quickly! You are my help and deliverer. LORD, do
not delay! [PS 70:2-6]
Do not cast me aside in my old age; as my
strength fails, do not forsake me. For my enemies speak against
me; they watch and plot against me. They say, "God has
abandoned that one Pursue, seize the wretch! No one will come to
the rescue!" God, do not stand far from me; my God, hasten to
help me. [Taken from PS 71:9-12]
For he rescues the poor when they cry out, the
oppressed who have no one to help. [PS 72:12]
Help us, God our savior, for the glory of
your name. Deliver us, pardon our sins for your name's sake. [Taken
from PS
79:9]
May your help be with the man at your right
hand, with the one whom you once made strong. Then we will not
withdraw from you; revive us, and we will call on your name. LORD
of hosts, restore us; let your face shine upon us, that we may be
saved. [PS 80:18-20]
God, do not be silent; God, be not still and
unmoved! See how your enemies rage; your foes proudly raise their
heads. They conspire against your people, plot against those you
protect. They say, "Come, let us wipe out their nation; let
Israel's name be mentioned no more!" They scheme with one
mind, in league against you: The tents of Ishmael and Edom, the
people of Moab and Hagar, Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek, Philistia and
the inhabitants of Tyre. Assyria, too, in league with them gives
aid to the descendants of Lot. [Taken from PS 83:2-9]
You are my God; pity me, Lord; to you I call all
the day. Gladden the soul of your servant; to you, Lord, I lift up
my soul. Lord, you are kind and forgiving, most loving to all who
call on you. LORD, hear my prayer; listen to my cry for help. In
this time of trouble I call, for you will answer me. [PS 86:3-7]
O God, the arrogant have risen against me; a
ruthless band has sought my life; to you they pay no heed. But
you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, most
loving and true. Turn to me, have pity on me; give your strength
to your servant; save this child of your handmaid. Give me a sign
of your favor: make my enemies see, to their confusion, that you,
LORD, help and comfort me. [PS 86:14-17]
If the LORD were not my help, I would long have
been silent in the grave. [PS 94:17]
Remember me, LORD, as you favor your people;
come to me with your saving help, That I may see the prosperity of
your chosen, rejoice in the joy of your people, and glory with
your heritage. [PS 106:4-5]
Some lived in darkness and gloom, in prison,
bound with chains, Because they rebelled against God's word,
scorned the counsel of the Most High, Who humbled their hearts
through hardship; they stumbled with no one to help. In their
distress they cried to the LORD, who saved them in their peril,
Led them forth from darkness and gloom and broke their chains
asunder. [PS 107:10-14]
He spoke and roused a storm wind; it tossed the
waves on high. They rose up to the heavens, sank to the depths;
their hearts trembled at the danger. They reeled, staggered like
drunkards; their skill was of no avail. In their distress they
cried to the LORD, who brought them out of their peril, Hushed the
storm to a murmur; the waves of the sea were stilled. They
rejoiced that the sea grew calm, that God brought them to the
harbor they longed for. [Taken from PS 107:25-30]
I will praise you among the peoples, LORD; I
will chant your praise among the nations. For your love towers to
the heavens; your faithfulness, to the skies. Appear on high over
the heavens, God; may your glory appear above all the earth. Help
with your right hand and answer us that your loved ones may
escape. [PS 108:4-7]
Give us aid against the foe; worthless is human
help. We will triumph with the help of God, who will trample down
our foes. [PS 108:13-14]
My knees totter from fasting; my flesh has
wasted away. I have become a mockery to them; when they see me,
they shake their heads. Help me, LORD, my God; save me in your
kindness. Make them know this is your hand, that you, LORD, have
acted. [PS 109:24-27]
The house of Israel trusts in the LORD, who is
their help and shield. The house of Aaron trusts in the LORD, who
is their help and shield. Those who fear the LORD trust in the
LORD, who is their help and shield. The LORD remembers us and will
bless us, will bless the house of Israel, will bless the house of
Aaron, Will bless those who fear the LORD, small and great alike. [PS
115:9-13]
In danger I called on the LORD; the LORD
answered me and set me free. The LORD is with me; I am not afraid;
what can mortals do against me? The LORD is with me as my helper;
I shall look in triumph on my foes. Better to take refuge in the
LORD than to put one's trust in mortals. Better to take refuge in
the LORD than to put one's trust in princes. [PS 118:5-9]
I was hard pressed and falling, but the LORD came to my help. The LORD, my strength and might, came to me as savior.
[Taken from PS 118:13-14]
The arrogant have dug pits for me; defying your
teaching. All your commands are steadfast. Help me! I am pursued
without cause. They have almost ended my life on earth, but I do
not forsake your precepts. [PS 119:85-87]
Let my cry come before you, LORD; in keeping
with your word give me discernment. Let my prayer come before you;
rescue me according to your promise. May my lips pour forth your
praise, because you teach me your laws. May my tongue sing of your
promise, for all your commands are just. Keep your hand ready to
help me, for I have chosen your precepts. I long for your
salvation, LORD; your teaching is my delight. Let me live to
praise you; may your edicts give me help. I have wandered like a
lost sheep; seek out your servant, for I do not forget your
commands. [PS 119:169-176]
I raise my eyes toward the mountains. From where will my help come?
My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth. [PS
121:1-2]
Our help is the name of the LORD, the maker of
heaven and earth. [PS 124:8]
I say to the LORD: You are my God; listen, LORD,
to the words of my prayer. My revered LORD, my strong helper, my
helmet on the day of battle. LORD, do not grant the desires of the
wicked; do not let their plots succeed. [Taken from PS 140:7-9]
LORD, I call to you; come quickly to help me;
listen to my plea when I call. Let my prayer be incense before
you; my uplifted hands an evening sacrifice. Set a guard, LORD,
before my mouth, a gatekeeper at my lips. Do not let my heart
incline to evil, or yield to any sin. I will never feast upon the
fine food of evildoers. Let the just strike me; that is kindness;
let them rebuke me; that is oil for my head. All this I shall not
refuse, but will pray despite these trials. When their leaders are
cast over the cliff, all will learn that my prayers were heard. [PS
141:1-6]
With full voice I cry to the LORD; with full
voice I beseech the LORD. Before God I pour out my complaint, lay
bare my distress. My spirit is faint within me, but you know my
path. Along the way I walk they have hidden a trap for me. I look
to my right hand, but no friend is there. There is no escape for
me; no one cares for me. I cry out to you, LORD, I say, You are my
refuge, my portion in the land of the living. Listen to my cry for
help, for I am brought very low. Rescue me from my pursuers, for
they are too strong for me. Lead me out of my prison, that I may
give thanks to your name. Then the just shall gather around me
because you have been good to me. [PS 142:2-8]
Happy those whose help is Jacob's God, whose
hope is in the LORD, their God, The maker of heaven and earth, the
seas and all that is in them, Who keeps faith forever, secures
justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets
prisoners free; the LORD gives sight to the blind. The LORD raises
up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. The
LORD protects the stranger, sustains the orphan and the widow, but
thwarts the way of the wicked. The LORD shall reign forever, your
God, Zion, through all generations! Hallelujah! [PS 146:5-10]
The fear of the LORD is an aid to life; one eats
and sleeps without being visited by misfortune. [PROV 19:23]
Say not, "I will repay evil!" Trust in
the LORD and he will help you. [PROV 20:22]
Better is childlessness with virtue; for
immortal is its memory: because both by God is it acknowledged,
and by men. When it is present men imitate it, and they long for
it when it is gone; And forever it marches crowned in triumph,
victorious in unsullied deeds of valor. But the numerous progeny
of the wicked shall be of no avail; their spurious offshoots shall
not strike deep root nor take firm hold. For even though their
branches flourish for a time, they are unsteady and shall be
rocked by the wind and, by the violence of the winds, uprooted;
Their twigs shall be broken off untimely, and their fruit be
useless, unripe for eating, and fit for nothing. For children born
of lawless unions give evidence of the wickedness of their
parents, when they are examined. [WISDOM 4:1-6]
Then shall the just one with great assurance
confront his oppressors who set at nought his labors. Seeing this,
they shall be shaken with dreadful fear, and amazed at the
unlooked-for salvation. They shall say among themselves, rueful
and groaning through anguish of spirit: "This is he whom once
we held as a laughingstock and as a type for mockery, fools that
we were! His life we accounted madness, and his death dishonored.
See how he is accounted among the sons of God; how his lot is with
the saints! We, then, have strayed from the way of truth, and the
light of justice did not shine for us, and the sun did not rise
for us. We had our fill of the ways of mischief and of ruin; we
journeyed through impassable deserts, but the way of the LORD we
knew not. What did our pride avail us? What have wealth and its
boastfulness afforded us? All of them passed like a shadow and
like a fleeting rumor; Like a ship traversing the heaving water,
of which, when it has passed, no trace can be found, no path of
its keel in the waves. Or like a bird flying through the air; no
evidence of its course is to be found- But the fluid air, lashed
by the beat of pinions, and cleft by the rushing force Of speeding
wings, is traversed: and afterward no mark of passage can be found
in it. Or as, when an arrow has been shot at a mark, the parted
air straightway flows together again so that none discerns the way
it went through- Even so we, once born, abruptly came to nought
and held no sign of virtue to display, but were consumed in our
wickedness." Yes, the hope of the wicked is like thistledown
borne on the wind, and like fine, tempest-driven foam; Like smoke
scattered by the wind, and like the passing memory of the nomad
camping for a single day. [WISDOM 5:1-14]
For wickedness, of its nature cowardly,
testifies in its own condemnation, and because of a distressed
conscience, always magnifies misfortunes. For fear is nought but
the surrender of the helps that come from reason; and the more
one's expectation is of itself uncertain, the more one makes of
not knowing the cause that brings on torment. [Taken from WISDOM
17:11-13]
Trust God and he will help you; make straight
your ways and hope in him. [SIRACH 2:6]
To the fatherless be as a father, and help their
mother as a husband would; Thus will you be like a son to the Most
High, and he will be more tender to you than a mother. [SIRACH
4:10]
Rely not upon deceitful wealth, for it will be
no help on the day of wrath. [SIRACH 5:10]
Provoke no quarrel with a quick-tempered man,
nor ride with him through the desert, For bloodshed is nothing to
him; when there is no one to help you, he will destroy you. [SIRACH
8:16]
With his lips an enemy speaks sweetly, but in
his heart he schemes to plunge you into the abyss. Though your
enemy has tears in his eyes, if given the chance, he will never
have enough of your blood. If evil comes upon you, you will find
him at hand; feigning to help, he will trip you up, Then he will
nod his head and clap his hands and hiss repeatedly, and show his
true face. [SIRACH 12:16-18]
He does a kindness who lends to his neighbor,
and he fulfills the precepts who holds out a helping hand. [SIRACH
29:1]
Many a man who asks for a loan adds to the
burdens of those who help him; When he borrows, he kisses the
lender's hand and speaks with respect of his creditor's wealth;
But when payment is due he disappoints him and says he is helpless
to meet the claim. If the lender is able to recover barely half,
he considers this an achievement; If not, he is cheated of his
wealth and acquires an enemy at no extra charge; With curses and
insults the borrower pays him back, with abuse instead of honor.
Many refuse to lend, not out of meanness, but from fear of being
cheated. To a poor man, however, be generous; keep him not waiting
for your alms; Because of the precept, help the needy, and in
their want, do not send them away empty-handed. Spend your money
for your brother and friend, and hide it not under a stone to
perish; Dispose of your treasure as the Most High commands, for
that will profit you more than the gold. Store up almsgiving in
your treasure house, and it will save you from every evil; Better
than a stout shield and a sturdy spear it will fight for you
against the foe. [SIRACH 29:4-13]
The eyes of the LORD are upon those who love him; he is their mighty shield and strong support,
A shelter from the heat, a shade from the noonday sun, a guard against stumbling, a help against falling. He buoys up the spirits, brings a sparkle to the eyes, gives health and life and blessing.
[SIRACH 34:16-17]
Come to our aid, O God of the universe, and put
all the nations in dread of you! Raise your hand against the
heathen, that they may realize your power. As you have used us to
show them your holiness, so now use them to show us your glory.
Thus they will know, as we know, that there is no God but you.
[SIRACH 36:1-4]
A wife is her husband's richest treasure, a
helpmate, a steadying column. [SIRACH 36:24]
My son, shed tears for one who is dead with
wailing and bitter lament; As is only proper, prepare the body,
absent not yourself from his burial: Weeping bitterly, mourning
fully, pay your tribute of sorrow, as he deserves, One or two
days, to prevent gossip; then compose yourself after your grief,
For grief can bring on an extremity and heartache destroy one's
health. Turn not your thoughts to him again; cease to recall him;
think rather of the end. Recall him not, for there is no hope of
his return; it will not help him, but will do you harm. Remember
that his fate will also be yours; for him it was yesterday, for
you today. With the departed dead, let memory fade; rally your
courage, once the soul has left. [SIRACH 38:16-23]
A brother, a helper, for times of stress; but
better than either, charity that rescues. [SIRACH 40:24]
I give you thanks, O God of my father; I praise
you, O God my savior! I will make known your name, refuge of my
life; you have been my helper against my adversaries. You have
saved me from death, and kept back my body from the pit, From the
clutches of the nether world you have snatched my feet; you have
delivered me, in your great mercy From the scourge of a slanderous
tongue, and from lips that went over to falsehood; From the snare
of those who watched for my downfall, and from the power of those
who sought my life; From many a danger you have saved me, from
flames that hemmed me in on every side; From the midst of
unremitting fire, From the deep belly of the nether world; From
deceiving lips and painters of lies, from the arrows of dishonest
tongues. I was at the point of death, my soul was nearing the
depths of the nether world; I turned every way, but there was no
one to help me, I looked for one to sustain me, but could find no
one. But then I remembered the mercies of the LORD, his kindness
through ages past; For he saves those who take refuge in him, and
rescues them from every evil. So I raised my voice from the very
earth, from the gates of the nether world, my cry. I called out: O
Lord, you are my father, you are my champion and my savior; Do not
abandon me in time of trouble, in the midst of storms and dangers.
I will ever praise your name and be constant in my prayers to you.
Thereupon the LORD heard my voice, he listened to my appeal; He
saved me from evil of every kind and preserved me in time of
trouble. For this reason I thank him and I praise him; I bless the
name of the LORD. [SIRACH 51:1-12]
Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and who
write oppressive decrees, Depriving the needy of judgment and
robbing my people's poor of their rights... What will you do on
the day of punishment, when ruin comes from afar? To whom will you
flee for help? Where will you leave your wealth, Lest it sink
beneath the captive or fall beneath the slain? For all this, his
wrath is not turned back, his hand is still outstretched! [Taken
from ISA 10:1-4]
When Moab grows weary on the high places, he
shall enter his sanctuary to pray, but it shall avail him nothing.
[ISA 16:12]
The inhabitants of this coastland shall say on
that day, "Look at our hope! We have fled here for help and
deliverance from the king of Assyria; where can we flee now?"
[ISA 20:6]
It is a day of panic, rout and confusion, from
the Lord, the GOD of hosts, in the Valley of Vision. Walls crash;
they cry for help to the mountains. [ISA 22:5]
When their princes are at Zoan and their
messengers reach Hanes, All shall be ashamed of a people that gain
them nothing, Neither help nor benefit, but only shame and
reproach. [ISA 30:4-5]
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who depend upon horses;
Who put their trust in chariots because of their number, and in horsemen because of their combined power,
But look not to the Holy One of Israel nor seek the LORD! [ISA 31:3]
Then Isaiah, son of Amoz, sent this message to
Hezekiah: Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: In answer to your
prayer for help against Sennacherib, king of Assyria, this is the
word the LORD has spoken concerning him: She despises you, laughs
you to scorn, the virgin daughter Zion; Behind you she wags her
head, daughter Jerusalem. Whom have you insulted and blasphemed,
against whom have you raised your voice And lifted up your eyes on
high? Against the Holy One of Israel! [Taken from ISA 37:21-23]
To whom can you liken God? With what equal can
you confront him? An idol, cast by a craftsman, which the smith
plates with gold and fits with silver chains? Mulberry wood, the
choice portion which a skilled craftsman picks out for himself,
Choosing timber that will not rot, to set up an idol that will not
be unsteady? One man helps another, one says to the other,
"Keep on!" The craftsman encourages the goldsmith, the
one who beats with the hammer, him who strikes on the anvil; He
says the soldering is good, and he fastens it with nails to steady
it. [ISA 40:18-20, 41:6-7]
Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed; I am
your God. I will strengthen you, and help you, and uphold you with
my right hand of justice. Yes, all shall be put to shame and
disgrace who vent their anger against you; Those shall perish and
come to nought who offer resistance. You shall seek out, but shall
not find, those who strive against you; They shall be as nothing
at all who do battle with you. For I am the LORD, your God, who
grasp your right hand; It is I who say to you, "Fear not, I
will help you." Fear not, O worm Jacob, O maggot Israel; I
will help you, says the LORD; your redeemer is the Holy One of
Israel. [ISA 41:10-14]
Hear then, O Jacob, my servant, Israel, whom I have chosen. Thus says the LORD who made you, your help, who formed you from the womb:
Fear not, O Jacob, my servant, the darling whom I have chosen. [ISA
44:1-2]
Idol makers all amount to nothing, and their
precious works are of no avail, as they themselves give witness.
To their shame, they neither see nor know anything; and they are
more deaf than men are. Indeed, all the associates of anyone who
forms a god, or casts an idol to no purpose, will be put to shame;
they will all assemble and stand forth, to be reduced to fear and
shame. [ISA 44:9-11]
Now hear this, voluptuous one, enthroned
securely, Saying to yourself, "I, and no one else! I shall
never be a widow, or suffer the loss of my children" - Both
these things shall come to you suddenly, in a single day: Complete
bereavement and widowhood shall come upon you For your many
sorceries and the great number of your spells; Because you felt
secure in your wickedness, and said, "No one sees me."
Your wisdom and your knowledge led you astray, And you said to
yourself, "I, and no one else!" But upon you shall come
evil you will not know how to predict; Disaster shall befall you
which you cannot allay. Suddenly there shall come upon you ruin
which you will not expect. Keep up, now, your spells and your many
sorceries. Perhaps you can make them avail, perhaps you can strike
terror! You wearied yourself with many consultations, at which you
toiled from your youth; Let the astrologers stand forth to save
you, the stargazers who forecast at each new moon what would
happen to you. Lo, they are like stubble, fire consumes them; They
cannot save themselves from the spreading flames. This is no
warming ember, no fire to sit before. Thus do your wizards serve
you with whom you have toiled from your youth; Each wanders his
own way, with none to save you. [ISA 47:8-15]
Thus says the LORD: In a time of favor I answer
you, on the day of salvation I help you, To restore the land and
allot the desolate heritages, Saying to the prisoners: Come out!
To those in darkness: Show yourselves! Along the ways they shall
find pasture, on every bare height shall their pastures be. They
shall not hunger or thirst, nor shall the scorching wind or the
sun strike them; For he who pities them leads them and guides them
beside springs of water. I will cut a road through all my
mountains, and make my highways level. See, some shall come from
afar, others from the north and the west, and some from the land
of Syene. Sing out, O heavens, and rejoice, O earth, break forth
into song, you mountains. For the LORD comforts his people and
shows mercy to his afflicted. But Zion said, "The LORD has
forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me." Can a mother forget
her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even
should she forget, I will never forget you. See, upon the palms of
my hands I have written your name; your walls are ever before me. [ISA
49:8-16]
The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue,
That I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse
them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; And I
have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those
who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; My face I
did not shield from buffets and spitting. The Lord GOD is my help,
therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint,
knowing that I shall not be put to shame. He is near who upholds
my right; if anyone wishes to oppose me, let us appear together.
Who disputes my right? Let him confront me. See, the Lord GOD is
my help; who will prove me wrong? Lo, they will all wear out like
cloth, the moth will eat them up. [Taken from ISA 50:4-9]
Though worn out by your many misdeeds, you never
said, "It is hopeless"; New strength you found, and so
you did not weaken. Of whom were you afraid? Whom did you fear,
that you became false And did not remember me or give me any
thought? Was I to remain silent and unseeing, so that you would
not have me to fear? I will expose your justice and your works;
They shall not help you when you cry out, nor save you in your
distress. All these the wind shall carry off, the breeze shall
bear away; But he who takes refuge in me shall inherit the land,
and possess my holy mountain. [ISA 57:10-13]
Yes, your fast ends in quarreling and fighting,
striking with wicked claw. Would that today you might fast so as
to make your voice heard on high! Is this the manner of fasting I
wish, of keeping a day of penance: That a man bow his head like a
reed, and lie in sackcloth and ashes? Do you call this a fast, a
day acceptable to the LORD? This, rather, is the fasting that I
wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the
yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; Sharing
your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the
homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning
your back on your own. Then your light shall break forth like the
dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; Your vindication
shall go before you, and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear
guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer, you shall
cry for help, and he will say: Here I am! If you remove from your
midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; If you
bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; Then
light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall
become for you like midday; Then the LORD will guide you always
and give you plenty even on the parched land. He will renew your
strength, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring
whose water never fails. [ISA 58:4-11]
"For the day of vengeance was in my heart,
my year for redeeming was at hand. I looked about, but there was
no one to help, I was appalled that there was no one to lend
support; So my own arm brought about the victory and my own wrath
lent me its support. I trampled down the peoples in my anger, I
crushed them in my wrath, and I let their blood run out upon the
ground." [Taken from ISA 63:4-6]
Should you not fear me, says the LORD, should
you not tremble before me? I made the sandy shore the sea's limit,
which by eternal decree it may not overstep. Toss though it may,
it is to no avail; though its billows roar, they cannot pass. [JER
5:22]
How can you say, "We are wise, we have the
law of the LORD"? Why, that has been changed into falsehood
by the lying pen of the scribes! The wise are confounded, dismayed
and ensnared; Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, of
what avail is their wisdom? [JER 8:8-9]
Why do we remain here? Let us form ranks and
enter the walled cities, to perish there; For the LORD has wrought
our destruction, he has given us poison to drink, because we have
sinned against the LORD. We wait for peace to no avail; for a time
of healing, but terror comes instead. [JER 8:14-15]
Therefore, thus says the LORD: See, I bring upon them misfortune which they cannot escape. Though they cry out to me, I will not listen to them. Then the cities of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem will go and cry out to the gods to which they have been offering incense. But these gods will give them no help whatever when misfortune strikes.
[Taken from JER 11:11-12]
Have you cast Judah off completely? Is Zion
loathsome to you? Why have you struck us a blow that cannot be
healed? We wait for peace, to no avail; for a time of healing, but
terror comes instead. We recognize, O LORD, our wickedness, the
guilt of our fathers; that we have sinned against you. For your
name's sake spurn us not, disgrace not the throne of your glory;
remember your covenant with us, and break it not. [Taken from JER
14:19-21]
Jerusalem is mindful of the days of her wretched
homelessness, When her people fell into enemy hands, and she had
no one to help her; When her foes gloated over her, laughed at her
ruin. Through the sin of which she is guilty, Jerusalem is
defiled; All who esteemed her think her vile now that they see her
nakedness; She herself groans and turns away. [LAM 1:7-8]
I am a man who knows affliction from the rod of
his anger, One whom he has led and forced to walk in darkness, not
in the light; Against me alone he brings back his hand again and
again all the day. He has worn away my flesh and my skin, he has
broken my bones; He has beset me round about with poverty and
weariness; He has left me to dwell in the dark like those long
dead. He has hemmed me in with no escape and weighed me down with
chains; Even when I cry out for help, he stops my prayer; He has
blocked my ways with fitted stones, and turned my paths aside. [Taken
from LAM 3:1-9]
It is good to hope in silence for the saving
help of the LORD. [LAM 3:26]
I called upon your name, O LORD, from the bottom
of the pit; You heard me call, "Let not your ear be deaf to
my cry for help!" You came to my aid when I called to you;
you said, "Have no fear!" You defended me in mortal
danger, you redeemed my life. You see, O LORD, how I am wronged;
do me justice! [LAM 3:55-59]
Our eyes ever wasted away, looking in vain for
aid; From our watchtower we watched for a nation that could not
save us. [LAM 4:17]
"Let Zion's neighbors come, to take note of
the captivity of my sons and daughters, brought upon them by the
Eternal God. He has brought against them a nation from afar, a
nation ruthless and of alien speech, That has neither reverence
for age nor tenderness for childhood; They have led away this
widow's cherished sons, have left me solitary, without daughters.
What can I do to help you? He who has brought this evil upon you
must himself deliver you from your enemies' hands. Farewell, my
children, farewell: I am left desolate. I have taken off the
garment of peace, have put on sackcloth for my prayer of
supplication, and while I live I will cry out to the Eternal
God." [Taken from BARUCH 4:14-20]
As I live, says the Lord GOD, I swear that your
sister Sodom, with her daughters, has not done as you and your
daughters have done! And look at the guilt of your sister Sodom:
she and her daughters were proud, sated with food, complacent in
their prosperity, and they gave no help to the poor and needy.
Rather, they became haughty and committed abominable crimes in my
presence; then, as you have seen, I removed them. Samaria did not
commit half your sins! You have done more abominable things than
they, and have even made your sisters appear just, with all the
abominable deeds you have done. [EZEK 16:48-51]
Then they shall know that I am the LORD, when I
set fire to Egypt and when all who help her are broken. [EZEK
30:8]
So I was left alone, seeing this great vision.
No strength remained in me; I turned the color of death and was
powerless. When I heard the sound of his voice, I fell face
forward in a faint. But then a hand touched me, raising me to my
hands and knees. "Daniel, beloved," he said to me,
"understand the words which I am speaking to you; stand up,
for my mission now is to you." When he said this to me, I
stood up trembling. "Fear not, Daniel," he continued;
"from the first day you made up your mind to acquire
understanding and humble yourself before God, your prayer was
heard. Because of it I started out, but the prince of the kingdom
of Persia stood in my way for twenty-one days, until finally
Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me. I left him
there with the prince of the kings of Persia, and came to make you
understand what shall happen to your people in the days to come;
for there is yet a vision concerning those days." [DAN 10:8-14]
You shall return by the help of your God, if you
remain loyal and do right and always hope in your God. [HOSEA
12:7]
Your destruction, O Israel! who is there to help
you? Where now is your king, that he may rescue you in all your
cities? And your rulers, of whom you said, "Give me a king
and princes"? I give you a king in my anger, and I take him
away in my wrath. The guilt of Israel is wrapped up, his sin is
stored away. [Taken from HOSEA 13:9-12]
Out of my distress I called to the LORD, and he
answered me; From the midst of the nether world I cried for help,
and you heard my voice. [JONAH 2:3]
How long, O LORD? I cry for help but you do not
listen! I cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not
intervene. [HAB 1:2]
Of what avail is the carved image, that its
maker should carve it? Or the molten image and lying oracle, that
its very maker should trust in it, and make dumb idols? [HAB 2:18]
Then Jesus went from that place and withdrew to
the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of
that district came and called out, "Have pity on me, Lord,
Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon." But he
did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked
him, "Send her away, for she keeps calling out after
us." He said in reply, "I was sent only to the lost
sheep of the house of Israel." But the woman came and did him
homage, saying, "Lord, help me." He said in reply,
"It is not right to take the food of the children and throw
it to the dogs." She said, "Please, Lord, for even the
dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their
masters." Then Jesus said to her in reply, "O woman,
great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And
her daughter was healed from that hour. [MT 15:21-28]
On leaving the synagogue he entered the house of
Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon's mother-in-law lay
sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He
approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever
left her and she waited on them. [MK 1:29-31]
There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for
twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many
doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but
only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him
in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, "If I but touch
his clothes, I shall be cured." Immediately her flow of blood
dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her
affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him,
turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who has touched my
clothes?" But his disciples said to him, "You see how
the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, 'Who touched
me?'" And he looked around to see who had done it. The woman,
realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and
trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole
truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you.
Go in peace and be cured of your affliction." [MK 5:25-34]
Someone from the crowd answered him,
"Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute
spirit. Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at
the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your
disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so." He
said to them in reply, "O faithless generation, how long will
I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him to me."
They brought the boy to him. And when he saw him, the spirit
immediately threw the boy into convulsions. As he fell to the
ground, he began to roll around and foam at the mouth. Then he
questioned his father, "How long has this been happening to
him?" He replied, "Since childhood. It has often thrown
him into fire and into water to kill him. But if you can do
anything, have compassion on us and help us." Jesus said to
him, "'If you can!' Everything is possible to one who has
faith." Then the boy's father cried out, "I do believe,
help my unbelief!" Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly
gathering, rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it, "Mute
and deaf spirit, I command you: come out of him and never enter
him again!" Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions,
it came out. He became like a corpse, which caused many to say,
"He is dead!" But Jesus took him by the hand, raised
him, and he stood up. When he entered the house, his disciples
asked him in private, "Why could we not drive it out?"
He said to them, "This kind can only come out through
prayer." [MK 9:17-29]
And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the
greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he
has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will
all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for
me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those
who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the
arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from
their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled
with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped
Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his
promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants
forever." [LK 1:46-55]
As they continued their journey he entered a
village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had
a sister named Mary (who) sat beside the Lord at his feet
listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came
to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has
left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me."
The Lord said to her in reply, "Martha, Martha, you are
anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one
thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken
from her." [LK 10:38-42]
[Jesus said,] "It is the spirit that gives life, while the
flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are spirit
and life." [Taken from JN 6:63]
During (the) night Paul had a vision. A Macedonian stood before him and implored him with these words, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."
When he had seen the vision, we sought passage to Macedonia at once, concluding that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.
[ACTS 16:9-10]
And when he wanted to cross to Achaia, the
brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to
welcome him. After his arrival he gave great assistance to those
who had come to believe through grace. [ACTS 18:27]
"In every way I have shown you that by hard work
of that sort we must help the weak, and keep in mind the words of
the Lord Jesus who himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than
to receive." [ACTS 20:35]
"And so, King Agrippa, I was not
disobedient to the heavenly vision. On the contrary, first to
those in Damascus and in Jerusalem and throughout the whole
country of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached the need to
repent and turn to God, and to do works giving evidence of
repentance. That is why the Jews seized me (when I was) in the
temple and tried to kill me. But I have enjoyed God's help to this
very day, and so I stand here testifying to small and great alike,
saying nothing different from what the prophets and Moses
foretold, that the Messiah must suffer and that, as the first to
rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and
to the Gentiles." [Taken from ACTS 26:19-23]
In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid
of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but
the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. [ROM
8:26]
I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is (also) a minister of the church at Cenchreae, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the holy ones, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a benefactor to many and to me as well.
[ROM 16:1-2] [Note: The term "minister" in the New
Testament is used frequently to denote "servant"
and "attendant" and should not be confused with
today's use of the term. Paul has clearly indicated roles
for women as in 1COR 14:34-5: "As in all the churches of the holy ones,
women should keep silent in the churches, for they are not allowed to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says."
and in 1TM 2:11-12: "A woman must receive instruction silently and under complete control.
I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. She must be quiet."]
Some people God has designated in the church to
be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then,
mighty deeds; then, gifts of healing, assistance, administration,
and varieties of tongues. [1COR 12:28]
We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of
the affliction that came to us in the province of Asia; we were
utterly weighed down beyond our strength, so that we despaired
even of life. Indeed, we had accepted within ourselves the
sentence of death, that we might trust not in ourselves but in God
who raises the dead. He rescued us from such great danger of
death, and he will continue to rescue us; in him we have put our
hope (that) he will also rescue us again, as you help us with
prayer, so that thanks may be given by many on our behalf for the
gift granted us through the prayers of many. [2COR 1:8-11]
Working together, then, we appeal to you not to
receive the grace of God in vain. For he says: "In an
acceptable time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped
you." Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is
the day of salvation. [Taken from 2COR 6:1-2]
Yes, and I ask you also, my true yokemate, to
help them, for they have struggled at my side in promoting the
gospel, along with Clement and my other co-workers, whose names
are in the book of life. [PHIL 4:3]
Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a
widow has children or grandchildren, let these first learn to
perform their religious duty to their own family and to make
recompense to their parents, for this is pleasing to God. The real
widow, who is all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in
supplications and prayers night and day. But the one who is
self-indulgent is dead while she lives. Command this, so that they
may be irreproachable. And whoever does not provide for relatives
and especially family members has denied the faith and is worse
than an unbeliever. Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less
than sixty years old, married only once, with a reputation for
good works, namely, that she has raised children, practiced
hospitality, washed the feet of the holy ones, helped those in
distress, involved herself in every good work. But exclude younger
widows, for when their sensuality estranges them from Christ, they
want to marry and will incur condemnation for breaking their first
pledge. And furthermore, they learn to be idlers, going about from
house to house, and not only idlers but gossips and busybodies as
well, talking about things that ought not to be mentioned. So I
would like younger widows to marry, have children, and manage a
home, so as to give the adversary no pretext for maligning us. For
some have already turned away to follow Satan. If any woman
believer has widowed relatives, she must assist them; the church
is not to be burdened, so that it will be able to help those who
are truly widows. [1TM 5:3-16]
Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard this rich trust with the help of the
Holy Spirit that dwells within us. [2TM 1:13-14]
Now since the children share in blood and flesh,
he likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy
the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free
those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all
their life. Surely he did not help angels but rather the
descendants of Abraham; therefore, he had to become like his
brothers in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful
high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. Because
he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help
those who are being tested. [HEB 2:14-18]
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who
has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold
fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is
unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has
similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us
confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to
find grace for timely help. [HEB 4:14-16]
Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect
hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained
angels. Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment,
and of the ill-treated as of yourselves, for you also are in the
body. Let marriage be honored among all and the marriage bed be
kept undefiled, for God will judge the immoral and adulterers. Let
your life be free from love of money but be content with what you
have, for he has said, "I will never forsake you or abandon
you." Thus we may say with confidence: "The Lord is my
helper, (and) I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to
me?" Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you.
Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be
carried away by all kinds of strange teaching. [Taken from HEB 13:1-9]
Beloved, you are faithful in all you do for the
brothers, especially for strangers; they have testified to your
love before the church. Please help them in a way worthy of God to
continue their journey. For they have set out for the sake of the
Name and are accepting nothing from the pagans. Therefore, we
ought to support such persons, so that we may be co-workers in the
truth. [3JN 1:5-8]
When the dragon saw that it had been thrown down
to the earth, it pursued the woman who had given birth to the male
child. But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle,
so that she could fly to her place in the desert, where, far from
the serpent, she was taken care of for a year, two years, and a
half-year. The serpent, however, spewed a torrent of water out of
his mouth after the woman to sweep her away with the current. But
the earth helped the woman and opened its mouth and swallowed the
flood that the dragon spewed out of its mouth. Then the dragon
became angry with the woman and went off to wage war against the
rest of her offspring, those who keep God's commandments and bear
witness to Jesus. It took its position on the sand of the sea. [Taken
from RV 12:13-18]
Also try:
serve
/ serves / served [S11]
protect
/ protection [P19]
provide
/ provided [P20]
teach
/ teacher / taught [T1a]
admonish
/ correct [D9]
almsgiving
[A]
share
/ shares / shared [S13]
guide
/ guided / guidance [G11]
need
/ needs / needy [N2]
poor
[P8]
save
/ saved / saving / savior / salvation [S7a]
forgive
/ forgiveness [F10]
mercy
/ merciful [M3a]
deeds
/ works [D3a]
refuge
[R1]
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