I am frightened of living, Lord.
My whole life seems sinful and sterile.
Any fruits I bear are either false or rotten. Nothing I do seems pleasing to You.
I am a barren tree that deserves to be chopped down, cut up and burnt.
I bear only the sharp and bitter thorns of sin.
If only those thorns could prick me into repentence.
Inside me my conscience burns.
I dare not show myself, yet I have nowhere to hide.
What will happen to me?
Who will protect me from Your wrath? Where can I find safety?
Lord, you are my judge in Whose hands I tremble.
Yet You are the One who can save me.
Though I fear You, I trust You.
Though I want to flee from You, I flee towards You.
Jesus, Jesus, deal with me according to Your Love.
Jesus, Jesus, forget the sin by which I have provoked You, and see only the misery which invokes You.
Most kind Lord, confirm in me all that belongs to you, and cast away all that is alien to you.
I like to think that St.Anselm was familiar with the following Psalms. Thank you Jesus!
Psalm 6
1 Don't punish me, LORD, or even correct me
when you are angry!
2 Have pity on me and heal my feeble body.
My bones tremble with fear,
3 and I am in deep distress.
How long will it be?
4 Turn and come to my rescue.
Show your wonderful love and save me, LORD.
5 If I die, I cannot praise you or even remember you.
6 My groaning has worn me out.
At night my bed and pillow are soaked with tears.
7 Sorrow has made my eyes dim, and my sight has failed
because of my enemies.
8 You, LORD, heard my crying,
and those hateful people had better leave me alone.
9 You have answered my prayer and my plea for mercy.
10 My enemies will be ashamed and terrified,
as they quickly run away in complete disgrace.
When you feel like there is something working against you pray!
Psalm 143
1 Listen, LORD, as I pray!
You are faithful and honest and will answer my prayer.
2 I am your servant. Don't try me in your court,
because no one is innocent by your standards.
3 My enemies are chasing me, crushing me in the ground.
I am in total darkness, like someone long dead.
4 I have given up all hope, and I feel numb all over.
5 I remember to think about the many things
you did in years gone by.
6 Then I lift my hands in prayer, because my soul is a desert,
thirsty for water from you.
7 Please hurry, LORD, and answer my prayer.
I feel hopeless.
Don't turn away and leave me here to die.
8 Each morning let me learn more about your love
because I trust you.
I come to you in prayer, asking for your guidance.
9 Please rescue me from my enemies, LORD!
I come to you for safety
10 You are my God. Show me what you want me to do,
and let your gentle Spirit lead me in the right path.
11 Be true to your name, LORD, and keep my life safe.
Use your saving power to protect me from trouble.
12 I am your servant.
Show how much you love me by destroying my enemies.
