Bible Verses About Persecution

Don't stay far from me, for trouble is near; and there is no one to help.

Many bulls surround me, wild bulls of Bashan close in on me.

They open their mouths wide against me, like ravening, roaring lions.

I am poured out like water; all my bones are out of joint; my heart has become like wax it melts inside me;

my mouth is as dry as a fragment of a pot, my tongue sticks to my palate; you lay me down in the dust of death.

Dogs are all around me, a pack of villains closes in on me like a lion [at] my hands and feet.

I can count every one of my bones, while they gaze at me and gloat.

They divide my garments among themselves; for my clothing they throw dice.

But you, ADONAI, don't stay far away! My strength, come quickly to help me!

Rescue me from the sword, Or: "They pierced my hands and feet." See Introduction, Section VIII, paragraph 6, and Section XIV, footnote 70. my life from the power of the dogs.

Save me from the lion's mouth! You have answered me from the wild bulls' horns.

For the leader. Set to "Lilies." By David: Save me, God! For the water threatens my life.

I am sinking down in the mud, and there is no foothold; I have come into deep water; the flood is sweeping over me.

I am exhausted from crying, my throat is dry and sore, my eyes are worn out with looking for my God.

Those who hate me for no reason outnumber the hairs on my head. My persecutors are powerful, my enemies accuse me falsely. Am I expected to return things I didn't steal?

God, you know how foolish I am; my guilt is not hidden from you.

Let those who put their hope in you, Adonai ELOHIM-Tzva'ot, not be put to shame through me; let those who are seeking you, God of Isra'el, not be disgraced through me.

For your sake I suffer insults, shame covers my face.

I am estranged from my brothers, an alien to my mother's children,

because zeal for your house is eating me up, and on me are falling the insults of those insulting you.

I weep bitterly, and I fast, but that too occasions insults.

I clothe myself with sackcloth and become an object of scorn, 856

the gossip of those sitting by the town gate, the theme of drunkards' songs.

As for me, ADONAI, let my prayer to you come at an acceptable time; In your great grace, God, answer me with the truth of your salvation.

Rescue me from the mud! Don't let me sink! Let me be rescued from those who hate me and from the deep water.