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 is overwhelmed, and poureth out before the Lord his complaint.” 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 on the day when I am distressed; incline unto me thy ear; on 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 vanish in smoke, and my bones are burning like a hearth.
4 I have been cut down like hay, and my heart has withered, for I had forgotten to eat my bread.
Struck [by heat] like the herb and dried up is my heart; for I forget to eat my bread.
5 Before the voice of my groaning, my bone has adhered to my flesh.
Because of the voice of my groaning 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 the pelican of the wilderness: I am become like the owl amid ruins.
7 I have kept vigil, and I have become like a solitary sparrow on a roof.
I watch, and I am become like a [night-]bird sitting alone upon the housetop.
8 All day long my enemies reproached me, and those who praised me swore oaths against me.
All the day my enemies reproach me: they that mock me swear by me.
9 For I chewed on ashes like bread, and I mixed weeping into my drink.
For ashes do I eat like bread, and my drink I mingle with weeping;
10 By the face of your anger and indignation, you lifted me up and threw me down.
Because of thy indignation and thy wrath; for thou hadst lifted me up, and hast 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 declineth; and like the herb I wither.
12 But you, O Lord, endure for eternity, and your memorial is from generation to generation.
But thou, O Lord, wilt sit enthroned for ever; and thy memorial 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 indeed arise; thou wilt have mercy upon Zion; for it is time to favor her, for the appointed time is coming.
14 For its stones have pleased your servants, and they will take pity on its land.
For thy servants hold dear her stones, and her very dust they cherish.
15 And the Gentiles will fear your name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth your glory.
Then shall nations 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 shalt have built up Zion, he appeareth 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 forsaken, and doth 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 down for the latest generation; 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 hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; the Lord hath cast from heaven his view to 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 sighing of the prisoner; to loosen those that are doomed to death:
21 So may they announce the name of the Lord in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem:
That men may proclaim in Zion the name of the Lord, and his praise in Jerusalem;
22 while the people convene, along with kings, in order that they may serve the Lord.
When people are gathered together, and 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 hath weakened on the way my strength; he hath shortened my days.
24 Do not call me back in the middle of my days: your years are from generation to generation.
I will say, O my God! take me not away in the midst of my days: throughout all generations are thy years.
25 In the beginning, O Lord, you founded the earth. And the heavens are the work of your hands.
In olden times didst thou lay the foundations 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.
These will indeed perish, but thou wilt ever exist: yea, all of them will wear out like a garment; as a vesture wilt thou change them, and they will be changed;
27 Yet you are ever yourself, and your years will not decline.
But thou art ever the same, and thy years will 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 will dwell [securely], and their seed will be firmly established before thee.
