The Fighting Bitterness Prayer

Job 3:20–21

World English Bible British Edition

²⁰ “Why is light given to him who is in misery, life to the bitter in soul,

²¹ who long for death, but it doesn’t come; and dig for it more than for hidden treasures,

These words are part of Job’s lament in deep suffering. They describe anguish rather than instructing anyone to seek death.

1 Samuel 1:2

World English Bible (Classic)

² He had two wives. The name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

1 Samuel 1:10

World English Bible (Classic)

¹⁰ She was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to Yahweh, weeping bitterly.

Ephesians 1:17

World English Bible British Edition

¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him,

Job 36:13

World English Bible British Edition

¹³ “But those who are godless in heart lay up anger. They don’t cry for help when he binds them.

This is part of Elihu’s speech within Job. Read it alongside the book’s wider warning against simplistic explanations of another person’s suffering.

1 Samuel 1:6–7

World English Bible (Classic)

⁶ Her rival provoked her severely, to irritate her, because Yahweh had shut up her womb.

⁷ So year by year, when she went up to Yahweh’s house, her rival provoked her. Therefore she wept, and didn’t eat.

Proverbs 14:10

World English Bible British Edition

¹⁰ The heart knows its own bitterness and joy; he will not share these with a stranger.

1 Samuel 1:8

World English Bible (Classic)

⁸ Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why don’t you eat? Why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”

1 Samuel 1:13–14

World English Bible (Classic)

¹³ Now Hannah spoke in her heart. Only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk.

¹⁴ Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Get rid of your wine!”

1 Samuel 1:10–11

World English Bible (Classic)

¹⁰ She was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to Yahweh, weeping bitterly.

¹¹ She vowed a vow, and said, “Yahweh of Armies, if you will indeed look at the affliction of your servant and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a boy, then I will give him to Yahweh all the days of his life, and no razor shall come on his head.”

1 Samuel 1:18

World English Bible (Classic)

¹⁸ She said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate; and her facial expression wasn’t sad any more.

1 Samuel 2:1–10

World English Bible (Classic)

¹ Hannah prayed, and said, “My heart exults in Yahweh! My horn is exalted in Yahweh. My mouth is enlarged over my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.

² There is no one as holy as Yahweh, for there is no one besides you, nor is there any rock like our God.

³ “Don’t keep talking so exceedingly proudly. Don’t let arrogance come out of your mouth, for Yahweh is a God of knowledge. By him actions are weighed.

⁴ “The bows of the mighty men are broken. Those who stumbled are armed with strength.

⁵ Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread. Those who were hungry are satisfied. Yes, the barren has borne seven. She who has many children languishes.

⁶ “Yahweh kills and makes alive. He brings down to Sheol and brings up.

⁷ Yahweh makes poor and makes rich. He brings low, he also lifts up.

⁸ He raises up the poor out of the dust. He lifts up the needy from the dunghill to make them sit with princes and inherit the throne of glory. For the pillars of the earth are Yahweh’s. He has set the world on them.

⁹ He will keep the feet of his holy ones, but the wicked will be put to silence in darkness; for no man will prevail by strength.

¹⁰ Those who strive with Yahweh shall be broken to pieces. He will thunder against them in the sky. “Yahweh will judge the ends of the earth. He will give strength to his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.”