Psalms 102
1 A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before Jehovah. Jehovah, hear my prayer, and let my cry come unto thee.
A prayer from someone who is suffering and is tired out, pouring out their troubles to the Lord. Lord please hear my prayer, my cry for help!
2 Hide not thy face from me: in the day of my trouble, incline thine ear unto me; in the day I call, answer me speedily.
Don't hide your face from me in my time of trouble! Turn and listen to me, and answer me quickly when I call.
3 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as a firebrand.
My life is disappearing like smoke; my body feels like it's on fire!
4 My heart is smitten and withered like grass; yea, I have forgotten to eat my bread.
I'm like grass that's dried up, withered away—I even forget to eat!
5 By reason of the voice of my groaning, my bones cleave to my flesh.
All my groaning has worn me out; my bones show through my skin.
6 I am become like the pelican of the wilderness, I am as an owl in desolate places;
I'm like a desert owl, like a little owl among the ruins.
7 I watch, and am like a sparrow alone upon the housetop.
I can't sleep. I'm like a lonely bird on a rooftop.
8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; they that are mad against me swear by me.
My enemies taunt me all day long. They mock me and swear at me.
9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,
Ashes are the food I eat; my tears drip into my drink,
10 Because of thine indignation and thy wrath; for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.
because of your anger and hostility, for you have picked me up and tossed me away.
11 My days are like a lengthened-out shadow, and I, I am withered like grass.
My life is fading away like a shadow that lengthens—I'm withering away like grass.
12 But thou, Jehovah, abidest for ever, and thy memorial from generation to generation.
But you, Lord, reign forever, your fame will last for all generations.
13 Thou wilt rise up, thou wilt have mercy upon Zion: for it is the time to be gracious to her, for the set time is come.
You will take action and have pity on Jerusalem, for it's time to be kind to the city, the time has come.
14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour her dust.
For the people who follow you love its stones; they value even its dust!
15 And the nations shall fear the name of Jehovah, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.
Then the nations will be in awe of who you are, Lord; all the kings of the earth will be in awe of your glory.
16 When Jehovah shall build up Zion, he will appear in his glory.
For the Lord will rebuild Jerusalem; he will appear in glory.
17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute one, and not despise their prayer.
He will pay attention to the prayers of the homeless; he will not disregard their requests.
18 This shall be written for the generation to come; and a people that shall be created shall praise Jah:
Let this be recorded for generations to come, so that people yet to be born may praise the Lord:
19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from the heavens hath Jehovah beheld the earth,
The Lord looked down from above, from the heights of his holy place; he looked down from heaven to the earth,
20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner, to loose those that are appointed to die;
to respond to the groans of prisoners, to set free the children of death.
21 That the name of Jehovah may be declared in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem,
As a result the wonderful nature of the Lord will be celebrated with praise in Jerusalem,
22 When the peoples shall be gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve Jehovah.
when the people of many kingdoms gather together to worship the Lord.
23 He weakened my strength in the way, he shortened my days.
But as for me, he broke my health while I was still young, cutting my life short.
24 I said, My God, take me not away in the midst of my days! ...Thy years are from generation to generation.
I cried out, “My God, don't take my life while I'm young! You are the one who lives forever.
25 Of old hast thou founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands:
Long ago you created the earth; you made the heavens.
26 They shall perish, but thou continuest; and all of them shall grow old as a garment: as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed.
They will come to an end, but you will not. They will all wear out, like clothes—you will change them, and throw them away.
27 But thou art the Same, and thy years shall have no end.
But you are the one who always is; your years never come to an end.
28 The children of thy servants shall abide, and their seed shall be established before thee.
Our children will live with you, and our children's children will grow in your presence.”
