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 fainteth, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD. O LORD, 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 distress; incline Thine ear unto me; in the day when 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 hearth.
4 I'm like grass that's dried up, withered away—I even forget to eat!
My heart is smitten like grass, and withered; for I forget 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 sighing my bones cleave to my flesh.
6 I'm like a desert owl, like a little owl among the ruins.
I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am become as an owl of the waste places.
7 I can't sleep. I'm like a lonely bird on a rooftop.
I watch, and am become like a sparrow that is alone upon the housetop.
8 My enemies taunt me all day long. They mock me and swear at me.
Mine enemies taunt me all the day; they that are mad against me do curse 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 taken me up, and cast me away.
11 My life is fading away like a shadow that lengthens—I'm withering away like grass.
My days are like a lengthening shadow; and I am withered like grass.
12 But you, Lord, reign forever, your fame will last for all generations.
But Thou, O LORD, sittest enthroned for ever; and Thy name is unto all generations.
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 arise, and have compassion upon Zion; for it is time to be gracious unto her, for the appointed 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 love 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.
So the nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth Thy glory;
16 For the Lord will rebuild Jerusalem; he will appear in glory.
When the LORD hath built up Zion, when He hath appeared in His glory;
17 He will pay attention to the prayers of the homeless; he will not disregard their requests.
When He hath regarded the prayer of the destitute, and hath not despised 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 which shall be created shall praise the LORD.
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 heaven did the LORD behold 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 death;
21 As a result the wonderful nature of the Lord will be celebrated with praise in Jerusalem,
That men may tell of the name of the LORD in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem;
22 when the people of many kingdoms gather together to worship the Lord.
When the peoples are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
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 say: 'O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days, Thou whose years endure throughout all generations.
25 Long ago you created the earth; you made the heavens.
Of old Thou didst lay the foundation of 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 shalt endure; yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt Thou change them, and they shall pass away;
27 But you are the one who always is; your years never come to an end.
But Thou art the selfsame, 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 dwell securely, and their seed shall be established before Thee.'
