My enemies will turn back when I cry out to you for help; I know that God is on my side.

From the most remote place on earth I call out to you in my despair. Lead me up to an inaccessible rocky summit!

I am exhausted from shouting for help; my throat is sore; my eyes grow tired of looking for my God.

In your distress you called out and I rescued you. I answered you from a dark thundercloud. I tested you at the waters of Meribah. (Selah)

Certainly O Lord, you are kind and forgiving, and show great faithfulness to all who cry out to you.

My eyes grow weak because of oppression. I call out to you, O Lord, all day long; I spread out my hands in prayer to you.

Many people profess their loyalty, but a faithful person – who can find?

The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and will not be answered.

I have given orders to my chosen soldiers; I have summoned the warriors through whom I will vent my anger, my boasting, arrogant ones.

Here is a message about Dumah: Someone calls to me from Seir, “Watchman, what is left of the night? Watchman, what is left of the night?”

At that time the sovereign master, the Lord who commands armies, called for weeping and mourning, for shaved heads and sackcloth.

Egypt is totally incapable of helping. For this reason I call her ‘Proud one who is silenced.’”

A fool will no longer be called honorable; a deceiver will no longer be called principled.

Her nobles will have nothing left to call a kingdom and all her officials will disappear.

A voice cries out, “In the wilderness clear a way for the Lord; construct in the desert a road for our God.

“I, the Lord, officially commission you; I take hold of your hand. I protect you and make you a covenant mediator for people, and a light to the nations,

For the sake of my servant Jacob, Israel, my chosen one, I call you by name and give you a title of respect, even though you do not recognize me.

Indeed, they live in the holy city; they trust in the God of Israel, whose name is the Lord who commands armies.

Listen to me, O Jacob, Israel, whom I summoned! I am the one; I am present at the very beginning and at the very end.

Yes, my hand founded the earth; my right hand spread out the sky. I summon them; they stand together.