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