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!
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come to you.
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 your face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline your ear to 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 an hearth.
4 I'm like grass that's dried up, withered away—I even forget to eat!
My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that 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 groaning my bones stick to my skin.
6 I'm like a desert owl, like a little owl among the ruins.
I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.
7 I can't sleep. I'm like a lonely bird on a rooftop.
I watch, and am as a sparrow alone on the house top.
8 My enemies taunt me all day long. They mock me and swear at me.
My enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against 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 your indignation and your wrath: for you have 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 shadow that declines; and I am withered like grass.
12 But you, Lord, reign forever, your fame will last for all generations.
But you, O LORD, shall endure for ever; and your remembrance to 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.
You shall arise, and have mercy on Zion: for the time to favor her, yes, the set time, is come.
14 For the people who follow you love its stones; they value even its dust!
For your servants take pleasure in her stones, and favor the dust thereof.
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 heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth your glory.
16 For the Lord will rebuild Jerusalem; he will appear in glory.
When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall 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, 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 the 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 has 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,
To declare 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 people 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 said, O my God, take me not away in the middle of my days: your years are throughout all generations.
25 Long ago you created the earth; you made the heavens.
Of old have you laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of your 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 you shall endure: yes, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a clothing shall you change them, and they shall be changed:
27 But you are the one who always is; your years never come to an end.
But you are the same, and your 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 your servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before you.
