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 the afflicted, when he fainteth, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD. O LORD, hear my prayer, and let my cry come unto Thee.
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.
Hide not Thy face from me in the day of my distress; incline Thine ear unto me; in the day when I call answer me speedily.
3 For my days have faded away like smoke, and my bones have dried out like firewood.
For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as a hearth.
4 I have been cut down like hay, and my heart has withered, for I had forgotten to eat my bread.
My heart is smitten like grass, and withered; for I forget to eat my bread.
5 Before the voice of my groaning, my bone has adhered to my flesh.
By reason of the voice of my sighing my bones cleave to my flesh.
6 I have become like a pelican in solitude. I have become like a night raven in a house.
I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am become as an owl of the waste places.
7 I have kept vigil, and I have become like a solitary sparrow on a roof.
I watch, and am become like a sparrow that is alone upon the housetop.
8 All day long my enemies reproached me, and those who praised me swore oaths against me.
Mine enemies taunt me all the day; they that are mad against me do curse by me.
9 For I chewed on ashes like bread, and I mixed weeping into my drink.
For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,
10 By the face of your anger and indignation, you lifted me up and threw me down.
Because of Thine indignation and Thy wrath; for Thou hast taken me up, and cast me away.
11 My days have declined like a shadow, and I have dried out like hay.
My days are like a lengthening shadow; and I am withered like grass.
12 But you, O Lord, endure for eternity, and your memorial is from generation to generation.
But Thou, O LORD, sittest enthroned for ever; and Thy name is unto all generations.
13 You will rise up and take pity on Zion, for it is time for its mercy, for the time has come.
Thou wilt arise, and have compassion upon Zion; for it is time to be gracious unto her, for the appointed time is come.
14 For its stones have pleased your servants, and they will take pity on its land.
For Thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and love 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 Thy glory;
16 For the Lord has built up Zion, and he will be seen in his glory.
When the LORD hath built up Zion, when He hath appeared in His glory;
17 He has noticed the prayer of the humble, and he has not despised their petition.
When He hath regarded the prayer of the destitute, and hath not despised their prayer.
18 Let these things be written in another generation, and the people who will be created will praise the Lord.
This shall be written for the generation to come; and a people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.
19 For he has gazed from his high sanctuary. From heaven, the Lord has beheld the earth.
For He hath looked down from the height of His sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the 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 the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;
21 So may they announce the name of the Lord in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem:
That men may tell of the name of the LORD in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem;
22 while the people convene, along with kings, in order that they may serve the Lord.
When the peoples are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
23 He responded to him in the way of his virtue: Declare to me the brevity of my days.
He weakened my strength in the way; He shortened 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, take me not away in the midst of my days, Thou whose years endure throughout all generations.
25 In the beginning, O Lord, you founded the earth. And the heavens are the work of your hands.
Of old Thou didst lay the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the work of Thy 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 shall perish, but Thou shalt endure; yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt Thou change them, and they shall pass away;
27 Yet you are ever yourself, and your years will not decline.
But Thou art the selfsame, and Thy years shall have no end.
28 The sons of your servants will live, and their offspring will be guided aright in every age.
The children of Thy servants shall dwell securely, and their seed shall be established before Thee.'
