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.
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto 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.
Hide not your face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline your 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 an 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, and withered like grass; so that 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 groaning my bones cleave to my skin.
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 like an owl of the desert.
7 I have kept vigil, and I have become like a solitary sparrow on a roof.
I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
8 All day long my enemies reproached me, and those who praised me swore oaths against me.
Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against 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 your indignation and your wrath: for you have lifted me up, and cast me down.
11 My days have declined like a shadow, and I have dried out like hay.
My days are like a shadow that declines; and I am withered like grass.
12 But you, O Lord, endure for eternity, and your memorial is from generation to generation.
But you, O LORD, shall endure for ever; and your remembrance 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.
You shall arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, has come.
14 For its stones have pleased your servants, and they will take pity on its land.
For your servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.
15 And the Gentiles will fear your name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth your glory.
So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth your glory.
16 For the Lord has built up Zion, and he will be seen in his glory.
When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
17 He has noticed the prayer of the humble, and he has not despised their petition.
He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise 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 the 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 has 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:
To declare 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 people 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 said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: your years are throughout all generations.
25 In the beginning, O Lord, you founded the earth. And the heavens are the work of your hands.
Of old have you laid the foundation 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 shall perish, but you shall endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shall you change them, and they shall be changed:
27 Yet you are ever yourself, and your years will not decline.
But you are the same, and your 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 your servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before you.
