Psalms 102
1 The prayer of the pauper, when he was anxious, and so he poured out his petition in the sight of the Lord. O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my outcry reach you.
A prayer of one who is afflicted, when he grows faint and pours out his lament before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come before You.
2 Do not turn your face away from me. In whatever day that I am in trouble, incline your ear to me. In whatever day that I will call upon you, heed me quickly.
Do not hide Your face from me in my day of distress. Incline Your ear to me; answer me quickly when I call.
3 For my days have faded away like smoke, and my bones have dried out like firewood.
For my days vanish like smoke, and my bones burn like glowing embers.
4 I have been cut down like hay, and my heart has withered, for I had forgotten to eat my bread.
My heart is afflicted, and withered like grass; I even forget to eat my bread.
5 Before the voice of my groaning, my bone has adhered to my flesh.
Through my loud groaning my flesh clings to my bones.
6 I have become like a pelican in solitude. I have become like a night raven in a house.
I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins.
7 I have kept vigil, and I have become like a solitary sparrow on a roof.
I lie awake; I am like a lone bird on a housetop.
8 All day long my enemies reproached me, and those who praised me swore oaths against me.
All day long my enemies taunt me; they ridicule me and curse me.
9 For I chewed on ashes like bread, and I mixed weeping into my drink.
For I have eaten ashes like bread and mixed my drink with tears
10 By the face of your anger and indignation, you lifted me up and threw me down.
because of Your indignation and wrath, for You have picked me up and cast me aside.
11 My days have declined like a shadow, and I have dried out like hay.
My days are like lengthening shadows, and I wither away like grass.
12 But you, O Lord, endure for eternity, and your memorial is from generation to generation.
But You, O LORD, sit enthroned forever; Your renown endures to all generations.
13 You will rise up and take pity on Zion, for it is time for its mercy, for the time has come.
You will rise up and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show her favor— the appointed time has come.
14 For its stones have pleased your servants, and they will take pity on its land.
For Your servants delight in her stones and take pity on her dust.
15 And the Gentiles will fear your name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth your glory.
So the nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth will fear Your glory.
16 For the Lord has built up Zion, and he will be seen in his glory.
For the LORD will rebuild Zion; He has appeared in His glory.
17 He has noticed the prayer of the humble, and he has not despised their petition.
He will turn toward the prayer of the destitute; He will not despise their prayer.
18 Let these things be written in another generation, and the people who will be created will praise the Lord.
Let this be written for the generation to come, so that a people not yet created may praise the LORD.
19 For he has gazed from his high sanctuary. From heaven, the Lord has beheld the earth.
For He looked down from the heights of His sanctuary; the LORD gazed out from heaven to earth
20 So may he hear the groans of those in shackles, in order that he may release the sons of the slain.
to hear a prisoner’s groaning, to release those condemned to death,
21 So may they announce the name of the Lord in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem:
that they may proclaim the name of the LORD in Zion and praise Him in Jerusalem,
22 while the people convene, along with kings, in order that they may serve the Lord.
when peoples and kingdoms assemble to serve the LORD.
23 He responded to him in the way of his virtue: Declare to me the brevity of my days.
He has broken my strength on the way; He has cut short my days.
24 Do not call me back in the middle of my days: your years are from generation to generation.
I say: “O my God, do not take me in the midst of my days! Your years go on through all generations.
25 In the beginning, O Lord, you founded the earth. And the heavens are the work of your hands.
In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.
26 They will perish, but you remain. And all will grow old like a garment. And, like a blanket, you will change them, and they will be changed.
They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing You will change them, and they will be passed on.
27 Yet you are ever yourself, and your years will not decline.
But You remain the same, and Your years will never end.
28 The sons of your servants will live, and their offspring will be guided aright in every age.
The children of Your servants will dwell securely, and their descendants will be established before You.”
