< Psalms 102 >

1 Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, and let my cry come to thee.
[A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before Jehovah.] Hear my prayer, Jehovah. Let my cry come to you.
2 Hide not thy face from me in the day of my distress. Incline thine ear to me. In the day when I call answer me speedily.
Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress. Turn your ear to me. Answer me quickly in the day when I call.
3 For my days consume away like smoke, and my bones are burned as a firebrand.
For my days consume away like smoke. My bones are burned like a hearth.
4 My heart is smitten like grass, and withered, for I forget to eat my bread.
My heart is blighted like grass, and withered, for I forget to eat my bread.
5 Because of the voice of my groaning my bones cling to my flesh.
By reason of the voice of my groaning, my bones stick to my skin.
6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness. I have become as an owl of the waste places.
I am like a pelican of the wilderness. I have become as an owl of the waste places.
7 I watch, and have become like a sparrow that is alone upon the house-top.
I watch, and have become like a sparrow that is alone on the housetop.
8 My enemies reproach me all the day. Those who are mad against me do curse by me.
My enemies reproach me all day. Those who are mad at me use my name as a curse.
9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,
For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mixed my drink with tears,
10 because of thine indignation and thy wrath. For thou have taken me up, and cast me away.
Because of your indignation and your wrath, for you have taken me up, and thrown me away.
11 My days are like a shadow that declines, and I am withered like grass.
My days are like a long shadow. I have withered like grass.
12 But thou, O Jehovah, will abide forever, and thy memorial to all generations.
But you, Jehovah, will abide forever; your renown endures to all generations.
13 Thou will arise, and have mercy upon Zion, for it is time to have pity upon her, yea, the set time has come.
You will arise and have mercy on Zion; for it is time to have pity on her. Yes, the set time has come.
14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and have pity upon her dust.
For your servants take pleasure in her stones, and have pity on her dust.
15 So the nations shall fear the name of Jehovah, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.
So the nations will fear the name of Jehovah; all the kings of the earth your glory.
16 For Jehovah has built up Zion. He has appeared in his glory.
For Jehovah has built up Zion. He has appeared in his glory.
17 He has regarded the prayer of the destitute, and has not despised their prayer.
He has responded to the prayer of the destitute, and has not despised their prayer.
18 This shall be written for the generation to come. And a people which shall be created shall praise Jehovah.
This will be written for the generation to come, that a people yet to be created may praise JAH.
19 For he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary. From heaven Jehovah beheld the earth,
For he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary. From heaven, Jehovah looked at the earth;
20 to hear the sighing of the prisoner, to loose those who are appointed to death,
to hear the groans of the prisoner; to free those who are condemned to death;
21 that men may declare the name of Jehovah in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem,
that men may declare the name of Jehovah in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
22 when the peoples are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve Jehovah.
when the peoples are gathered together, the kingdoms, to serve Jehovah.
23 He weakened my strength in the way. He shortened my days.
He weakened my strength along the course. He shortened my days.
24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days. Thy years are throughout all generations.
I said, "My God, do not take me away in the midst of my days. Your years are throughout all generations.
25 Of old thou laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
In the beginning, Jehovah, you established the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the works of your hands.
26 They shall perish, but thou shall endure. Yea, all of them shall grow old like a garment. As a vesture thou shall change them, and they shall be changed,
They will perish, but you remain; and they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a cloak, and they will be changed.
27 but thou are the same, and thy years shall have no end.
But you are the same. Your years will have no end.
28 The sons of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.
The children of your servants will continue, and their descendants will be established before you."

< Psalms 102 >