Psalms 102
1 The prayer of the poor man, when he was anxious, and poured out his supplication before the Lord. Hear, O Lord, my prayer: and let my cry come to 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 Turn not away thy face from me: in the day when I am in trouble, incline thy ear to me. In what day soever I shall call upon thee, hear 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 vanished like smoke: and my bones are grown dry like fuel for the fire.
My life is disappearing like smoke; my body feels like it's on fire!
4 I am smitten as grass, and my heart is withered: because I forgot to eat my bread.
I'm like grass that's dried up, withered away—I even forget to eat!
5 Through the voice of my groaning, my bone hath cleaved to my flesh.
All my groaning has worn me out; my bones show through my skin.
6 I am become like to a pelican of the wilderness: I am like a night raven in the house.
I'm like a desert owl, like a little owl among the ruins.
7 I have watched, and am become as a sparrow all alone on the housetop.
I can't sleep. I'm like a lonely bird on a rooftop.
8 All the day long my enemies reproached me: and they that praised me did swear against me.
My enemies taunt me all day long. They mock me and swear at me.
9 For I did eat ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping.
Ashes are the food I eat; my tears drip into my drink,
10 Because of thy anger and indignation: for having lifted me up thou hast thrown me down.
because of your anger and hostility, for you have picked me up and tossed me away.
11 My days have declined like a shadow, and I am withered like grass.
My life is fading away like a shadow that lengthens—I'm withering away like grass.
12 But thou, O Lord, endurest for ever: and thy memorial to all generations.
But you, Lord, reign forever, your fame will last for all generations.
13 Thou shalt arise and have mercy on Sion: for it is time to have mercy on it, for the 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 the stones thereof have pleased thy servants: and they shall have pity on the earth thereof.
For the people who follow you love its stones; they value even its dust!
15 And the Gentiles shall fear thy name, O Lord, 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 For the Lord hath built up Sion: and he shall be seen in his glory.
For the Lord will rebuild Jerusalem; he will appear in glory.
17 He hath had regard to the prayer of the humble: and he hath not despised their petition.
He will pay attention to the prayers of the homeless; he will not disregard their requests.
18 Let these things be written unto another generation: and the people that shall be created shall praise the Lord:
Let this be recorded for generations to come, so that people yet to be born may praise the Lord:
19 Because he hath looked forth from his high sanctuary: from heaven the Lord hath looked upon the earth.
The Lord looked down from above, from the heights of his holy place; he looked down from heaven to the earth,
20 That he might hear the groans of them that are in fetters: that he might release the children of the slain:
to respond to the groans of prisoners, to set free the children of death.
21 That they may declare the name of the Lord in Sion: and his praise in Jerusalem;
As a result the wonderful nature of the Lord will be celebrated with praise in Jerusalem,
22 When the people assemble together, and kings, to serve the Lord.
when the people of many kingdoms gather together to worship the Lord.
23 He answered him in the way of his strength: Declare unto me the fewness of my days.
But as for me, he broke my health while I was still young, cutting my life short.
24 Call me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are unto generation and generation.
I cried out, “My God, don't take my life while I'm young! You are the one who lives forever.
25 In the beginning, O Lord, thou foundedst the earth: and the heavens are the works of thy hands.
Long ago you created the earth; you made the heavens.
26 They shall perish but thou remainest: and all of them shall grow old like a garment: And as a vesture thou shalt 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 always the selfsame, and thy years shall not fail.
But you are the one who always is; your years never come to an end.
28 The children of thy servants shall continue: and their seed shall be directed for ever.
Our children will live with you, and our children's children will grow in your presence.”
