48 Bible Verses about Self Pity

The Israelites said to them: If only Jehovah had allowed us to die in Egypt! There we sat by our pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted! You brought us out into this desert to let us all starve to death!

The Israelites saw the king coming with his army. They were frightened and begged Jehovah for help. They also complained to Moses: Was there not enough room in Egypt to bury us? Is that why you brought us out here to die in the desert? Why did you bring us out of Egypt? Did we not say in Egypt: Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert.

The people were thirsty for water. They complained to Moses and asked: Why did you bring us out of Egypt? Was it to make us, our children, and our livestock die of thirst?

Some foreigners among the Israelites had a strong craving for other kinds of food. Even the Israelites cried again and said: If only we had meat to eat! Remember all the free fish we ate in Egypt and the cucumbers, watermelons, leeks, onions, and garlic we had? Now we have lost our appetite! Everywhere we look there is nothing but manna!

All the Israelite congregation raised their voices and cried out loud all that night. They complained to Moses and Aaron: If only we had died in Egypt or in this desert! Why is Jehovah bringing us to this land? Is it just to have us die in battle? Our wives and children will be taken as prisoners of war! Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?read more.
They said to each other: Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.

Even so they were not willing to go. They rebelled against the command of Jehovah your God: You complained in your tents, and said: Jehovah hates us so he brought us out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us. Where can we go up? Our brothers caused us to lose heart. They said: The people are stronger and taller than we are. The cities are large and the walls go up to the sky. Moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.'

Do not grumble like some of them grumbled. Venomous snakes killed them. These things happened for examples, and they are written for our instruction, upon whom the end of the ages has come.

JOB ANSWERED: If only my anguish could be weighed and all my misery be placed on the scales! It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas, no wonder my words have been impetuous.read more.
The Almighty's arrows are in me. My spirit drinks in their poison. God's terrors set themselves against me. Does a wild donkey bray when it has grass, or an ox bellow when it has fodder? Is tasteless food eaten without salt? Is there flavor in the white root of the marshmallow plant (or the white of an egg)? I refuse to touch it! This repugnant food makes me ill. Oh, that I might have my request and that God would grant what I long for. Oh that God would be willing to crush me, to let loose his hand and cut me off! Then I would still have this consolation, my joy in unrelenting pain, that I had not denied the words of the Holy One. What strength do I have, that I should wait and hope? What prospects, that I should be patient? Do I have the strength of stone? Is my flesh made of bronze? Do I have any power to help myself, now that success has been driven from me?

I loathe my very life. I will therefore give free rein to my complaint and speak out in my bitterness.

JOB OPENED HIS MOUTH and cursed the day of his birth. He said: May the day of my birth perish, and the night it was said: 'A boy is born!'read more.
Let that day turn to darkness. May God above not care about it. Let no light shine upon it. Let darkness and the shadow of death claim it once more. May a cloud settle over it and may blackness overwhelm its light. About that night, may thick darkness seize it. May it not be included among the days of the year nor be entered in any of the months. Let the night be barren and may no shout of joy be heard in it. May those who curse days curse that day, those who are ready to lift up Leviathan (Babylonian symbol of sadness and mourning). Let its morning stars become dark and cause it to wait for daylight in vain and not see the first rays of dawn, for it did not shut the doors of the womb on me to hide trouble from my eyes. Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb? Why were there knees to receive me and breasts that I might be nursed? For now I would be lying down in peace. I would be asleep and at rest. I would be with kings and counselors of the earth, who built for themselves places now lying in ruins. I would be with rulers who had gold, who filled their houses with silver. Why was I not hidden in the ground like a stillborn child, like an infant who never saw the light of day? There the wicked cease from turmoil, and there the weary are at rest. Captives also enjoy their ease; they no longer hear the slave driver's shout. The small and the great are there. The slave is freed from his master. Why is light given to those in misery, and life to the bitter in heart? They long for death that does not come. They search for it more than for hidden treasure. They are filled with gladness and rejoice when they reach the grave. Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged (fenced) in? Sighing comes to me instead of food. My groans pour out like water. What I feared has come upon me. What I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace. I have no quietness. I have no rest. I only have turmoil!

JOB RESPONDED: Doubtless you are the people, and wisdom will die with you! I have a mind as well as you! I am not inferior to you! Who does not know all these things?read more.
I have become a laughingstock to my friends! I called upon God and he answered. Yet I am a mere laughingstock, though righteous and blameless! Men at ease have contempt for misfortune as the fate of those whose feet are slipping. The tents of marauders prosper and those who provoke God are secure in what God's hand brings them.

If I speak, my pain is not lessened. If I hold back how am I eased? He has exhausted me. You have lain waste all my company. You have shriveled me up. It has become a witness. And my leanness rises up against me. It testifies to my face.read more.
His anger has torn me and hunted me down. He has gnashed at me with his teeth. My adversary glares at me. They have gaped at me with their mouth. They have slapped me on the cheek with contempt. They have massed themselves against me. God hands me over to ruffians. He tosses me into the hands of the wicked. I was at ease, but he shattered me. He has grabbed me by the neck and has shaken me to pieces. He has also set me up as his target. His arrows surround me. Without mercy he splits my kidneys open. He pours out my gall on the ground. He breaks through me with breach after breach. He runs at me like a warrior. I have sewed sackcloth over my skin and thrust my horn (strength) in the dust. My face is flushed from weeping. The shadow of death is on my eyelids. There is no violence in my hands. My prayer is pure.

Now they make fun of me with songs. I have become a joke to them. Since they consider me disgusting, they keep their distance from me and don't hesitate to spit in my face. Because God has untied my cord and has made me suffer, they are no longer restrained in my presence.read more.
They have attacked me on my right side like a mob. They trip my feet and then prepare ways to destroy me. They break up my path, they promote my calamity and no one restrains them! As through a wide breach they come. Amid the crash they roll on. Terrorists turn on me; my honor is pursued as by the wind, and my prosperity has passed away like a cloud. Now I am poured out, the days of affliction have taken hold of me. The night racks my bones, and the pain that eats at me takes no rest. With violence it seizes my garment. It binds me about like the collar of my tunic. God has cast me into the mire. I have become like dust and ashes. I cry to you and you do not answer me! I stand, and you do not heed me. You have turned cruel to me. With the might of your hand you appose me. You lift me up on the wind, you make me ride on it, and you toss me about in the roar of the storm. Yes, I know that you will bring me to death, to the house appointed for all living. Does not one in a heap of ruins stretch out his hand, Or in his disaster cry out for help? Have I not wept for the one whose life is hard? Was I not grieved for the needy? When I expected good evil came. When I waited for light darkness came. I am seething within and cannot relax! Days of affliction confront me. I go about mourning without comfort. I stand up in the assembly and cry out for help. I am a brother to jackals and a companion of ostriches. My skin grows black on me and my bones burn with fever. Therefore my harp is turned to mourning, and my flute to the sound of those who weep.

When Esau heard this he cried out loudly and bitterly. He said: Give me your blessing also, Father!

David went up the slope of the Mount of Olives. He was barefoot and crying. He covered his head to show his sorrow. Everyone with him was crying. They covered their heads too.

Hezekiah faced the wall and prayed to Jehovah: Jehovah, Please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and truth. And consider my whole heart devoted to you. I have done what is good in your eyes. Hezekiah wept bitterly.

Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to Jehovah: Remember, Jehovah, that I have served you faithfully and loyally. I have always tried to do what you wanted me to. Then he cried bitterly.

Why are you so distant, Jehovah? Why do you hide in times of trouble?

But my feet had almost stumbled. They had almost slipped. I was envious of arrogant people when I saw the peace and prosperity that wicked people enjoy.

([Psalm of Asaph]) God, why have you rejected us forever? Why do you smoke with anger against the sheep of your pasture?

So he asked: Jehovah, why have you brought me this trouble? How have I displeased you that you put the burden of all these people on me? Am I their mother? Did I give birth to them? Are you really asking me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries a baby, all the way to the land you promised their ancestors with an oath? Where can I get meat for all these people? They continually cry for me to give them meat to eat.read more.
I am not able to take care of all these people by myself. This is too much work for me! If you treat me like this have pity on me and kill me. That way I will not have to endure my shame any longer.

Moses went back to Jehovah and asked: Why have you brought this trouble on your people? Why did you send me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak for you, he has treated your people cruelly, and you have done nothing at all to rescue your people.

Moses cried out to Jehovah: What should I do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me!

Elijah walked a whole day into the wilderness. He stopped and sat down under a broom plant and wished he would die. It is just too much, Jehovah, he prayed. Take away my life. I could just as well be dead.

He said: I have been zealous for Jehovah, the God of hosts. The children of Israel have not kept your agreement (covenant). They have destroyed your altars. They killed your prophets with the sword. I, even I, am the only one living. Now they seek to take my life too.

Sadness is mine! Why did my mother bring me into the world? I have to quarrel and argue with everyone in the whole earth. I have not lent any money or borrowed any; yet everyone curses me.

Why do I suffer constant pain? Why is my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will you indeed be to me like a deceptive stream with water that is unreliable?

O Jehovah, You have deceived me. I was deceived! You have overcome me and prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me. Each time I speak, I cry aloud. I proclaim violence and destruction! For me the word of Jehovah has resulted in reproach and derision all day long. But if I say: I will not remember him or speak anymore in his name, then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in. I cannot endure it.read more.
For I have heard the whispering of many: Terror on every side! Denounce him; yes, let us denounce him! All my trusted friends are watching for my fall. They say: Perhaps he will be deceived, so that we may prevail against him and take our revenge on him.

You said: I am so miserable! Jehovah has added grief to my pain. I am worn out from groaning. I cannot find any rest.

But it displeased Jonah exceedingly. He was angry! He prayed to Jehovah: I pray to you, O Jehovah, was this what I said, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I hurried to flee to Tarshish. Because I knew that you are a gracious God. You are merciful, slow to anger, abundant in loving kindness, and one who takes pity over calamity (tragedy) (catastrophe) (disaster). Now, O Jehovah, please take my life from me for it is better for me to die than to live.read more.
Jehovah asked him: Do you have good reason to be angry? Then Jonah went out of the city. He sat on the east side of the city. He made a booth, and sat under it in the shade. He wanted to see what would become of the city.

By the rivers of Babylon, we sat down and cried as we remembered Zion. In the midst of it we hung our harps on poplar trees. It was there that those who had captured us demanded that we sing. Those who guarded us wanted us to entertain them. They said: Sing a song from Zion for us!read more.
How could we sing Jehovah's song in a foreign land? If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget how to play the harp. Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy. O Jehovah, remember the people of Edom. Remember what they did the day Jerusalem was captured. They said: Tear it down! Tear it down to its foundation. You destructive people of Babylon, blessed is the one who pays you back with the same treatment you gave us. Blessed is the one who grabs your little children and smashes them against a rock.

I am the man who has seen trouble by the rod of his fury. By him I have been made to go in the dark and not in the light. Truly against me his hand has been turned again and again all day long.read more.
My flesh and my skin have been used up by him and my bones broken. He built a wall against me, shutting me in with hardship and bitter sorrow. He kept me in dark places, like those who have been dead a long time. He built a wall around me so that I am unable to go out. He made a heavy chain for me. Even when I send up a cry for help, he shuts out my prayer. He blocked my way with cut stones. He twisted my roadways. He is like a bear waiting for me, like a lion in secret places. He has turned me on one side. I have been pulled to bits and lay desolate. With his bow bent, he made me the target for his arrows. He has let fly his arrows into the inmost parts of my body. I have become the laughingstock of all the peoples. I am their mocking song all the day. He has made my life nothing but pain. He gives me bitterness in full measure. He broke my teeth with crushed stones. I am bent low in the dust. Peace has been removed far away from me. I do not remember what good is. I said: My strength is cut off, and my hope from Jehovah.

The kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived sensuously with her, will weep and lament over her, when they see the smoke of her burning. They will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, and say: 'Woe, woe to the great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.' The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her. For no man buys their merchandise any more.read more.
The merchandise of gold and silver and precious stones, and of pearls, fine linen, purple and silk, scarlet, and everything in scented wood, all manner of ivory and all manner of most precious wood, of brass and iron and marble, cinnamon, odors and ointments, frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour, wheat, beasts, and sheep and horses, chariots and slaves and humans The fruits that you desired have departed from you. All things that were dainty and wonderful have departed from you. You will find them no more at all. The merchants of these things, who were made rich by her, will stand far off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing. They will say: 'Woe, woe to the great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! In one hour these great riches came to nothing.' Every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood far off, and cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying: 'What city is like this great city!' They threw dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying: 'Woe, woe to the great city. All that had ships in the sea became rich by her wealth. In one hour she was made desolate.'

Have pity on me, my friends! Have pity on me because God's hand has struck me down.

Often it casts him into the fire and into the water to destroy him. If you can do anything have compassion on us and help us.

They shouted: Jesus! Master! Have pity on us!

Why am I in despair? Why am I so deeply disturbed within me? I will put my hope in God, for I will praise him as my salvation and my God.

When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me. I understood their end when I went into the sanctuary of God.

([Psalm of David]) O Jehovah, look how my enemies have increased! Many are attacking me. Many are saying about me: Even with God on his side, he will not have victory (deliverance) (salvation). You, O Jehovah, are a protective shield over me. You are my glory. You hold my head high.read more.
I call aloud to Jehovah. He answers me from his holy mountain.

([Psalm of David]) How long, O Jehovah? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I make decisions alone with sorrow in my heart day after day? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look at me! Answer me, O Jehovah my God! Light up my eyes, or else I will die.read more.
My enemy will say: I have overpowered him. My opponents will rejoice because I have been shaken. I trust your loving-kindness. My heart finds joy in your salvation. I will sing to Jehovah for he has been good to me.

([Psalm of David]) Do not be bothered by evildoers. Do not envy those who do wicked things. They will quickly dry up like grass and whither away like green plants. Trust Jehovah and do good things. Live in the land, and practice being faithful.read more.
Be happy with Jehovah and he will provide you with the desires of your heart. Dedicate your life to Jehovah. Trust him, and he will act on your behalf. He will cause your righteousness to shine like a light, your just cause like the noonday sun. Surrender to Jehovah and wait patiently for him. Do not be preoccupied with an evildoer who succeeds in his way when he carries out his schemes.

Nevertheless I am continually with you. You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward you give me honor (glory). Who have I in heaven but you? I desire none on earth except you.read more.
My flesh and my heart fail: God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you. It is good for me to draw near to God. I have put my trust in Jehovah God, that I may declare all your works.

Our fathers in Egypt did not understand your wonders. They did not remember your abundant kindnesses. But they rebelled by the Red Sea.

Remember my trouble and my wandering, the bitterroot and the poison. Remember and bow (bend) (come down to my level) down deep within me. I remember this and I have hope.read more.
We have not come to destruction because of Jehovah's loving kindness. His mercies are without end. They are new every morning. Your faithfulness is abundant. I said to myself, Jehovah is my heritage. For this reason I will hope in him. Jehovah is good to those who are waiting for him, to the person seeking him. It is good to go on hoping and quietly waiting for the salvation of Jehovah.

For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, even so our comfort also abounds through Christ.

Give no occasion for stumbling (offence) in anything that our ministry may not be blamed (discredited). In everything we commend ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watching, in fasting;read more.
in pureness, in knowledge, in long-suffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; Also as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials. Know that the testing of your faith produces patience (endurance).

As much as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy.