HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I realize this is a day late (my computer was acting up yesterday--blasted gremlins!), but...

Psalm 143

A psalm of David.

Do not bring your servant into judgment,
       for no one living is righteous before you.

The enemy pursues me,
       he crushes me to the ground;
       he makes me dwell in darkness
       like those long dead.

So my spirit grows faint within me;
       my heart within me is dismayed.

I remember the days of long ago;
       I meditate on all your works
       and consider what your hands have done.

I spread out my hands to you;
       my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.
       Selah

Answer me quickly, O LORD;
       my spirit fails.
       Do not hide your face from me
       or I will be like those who go down to the pit.

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
       for I have put my trust in you.
       Show me the way I should go,
       for to you I lift up my soul.

Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD,
       for I hide myself in you.

Teach me to do your will,
       for you are my God;
       may your good Spirit
       lead me on level ground.

For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life;
       in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.

In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
       destroy all my foes,
       for I am your servant.

Psalm 142

A maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer.

I pour out my complaint before him;
       before him I tell my trouble.

When my spirit grows faint within me,
       it is you who know my way.
       In the path where I walk
       men have hidden a snare for me.

Look to my right and see;
       no one is concerned for me.
       I have no refuge;
       no one cares for my life.

I cry to you, O LORD;
       I say, "You are my refuge,
       my portion in the land of the living."

Listen to my cry,
       for I am in desperate need;
       rescue me from those who pursue me,
       for they are too strong for me.

Set me free from my prison,
       that I may praise your name.
       Then the righteous will gather about me
       because of your goodness to me.

Psalm 102

A prayer of an afflicted man. When he is faint and pours out his lament before the LORD.

Do not hide your face from me
       when I am in distress.
       Turn your ear to me;
       when I call, answer me quickly.

For my days vanish like smoke;
       my bones burn like glowing embers.

My heart is blighted and withered like grass;
       I forget to eat my food.

Because of my loud groaning
       I am reduced to skin and bones.

I am like a desert owl,
       like an owl among the ruins.

I lie awake; I have become
       like a bird alone on a roof.

All day long my enemies taunt me;
       those who rail against me use my name as a curse.

For I eat ashes as my food
       and mingle my drink with tears

because of your great wrath,
       for you have taken me up and thrown me aside.

My days are like the evening shadow;
       I wither away like grass.

But you, O LORD, sit enthroned forever;
       your renown endures through all generations.

You will arise and have compassion on Zion,
       for it is time to show favor to her;
       the appointed time has come.

For her stones are dear to your servants;
       her very dust moves them to pity.

The nations will fear the name of the LORD,
       all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.

For the LORD will rebuild Zion
       and appear in his glory.

He will respond to the prayer of the destitute;
       he will not despise their plea.

Let this be written for a future generation,
       that a people not yet created may praise the LORD :

"The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high,
       from heaven he viewed the earth,

to hear the groans of the prisoners
       and release those condemned to death."

So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion
       and his praise in Jerusalem

when the peoples and the kingdoms
       assemble to worship the LORD.

In the course of my life he broke my strength;
       he cut short my days.

So I said:
       "Do not take me away, O my God, in the midst of my days;
       your years go on through all generations.

In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,
       and the heavens are the work of your hands.

They will perish, but you remain;
       they will all wear out like a garment.
       Like clothing you will change them
       and they will be discarded.

But you remain the same,
       and your years will never end.

The children of your servants will live in your presence;
       their descendants will be established before you."