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 before the Lord his complaint.” 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 on the day when I am distressed; incline unto me thy ear; on 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 vanish in smoke, and my bones are burning like a hearth.
4 I'm like grass that's dried up, withered away—I even forget to eat!
Struck [by heat] like the herb and dried up is my heart; for I forget to eat my bread.
5 All my groaning has worn me out; my bones show through my skin.
Because 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 like the pelican of the wilderness: I am become like the owl amid ruins.
7 I can't sleep. I'm like a lonely bird on a rooftop.
I watch, and I am become like a [night-]bird sitting alone upon the housetop.
8 My enemies taunt me all day long. They mock me and swear at me.
All the day my enemies reproach me: they that mock me swear by me.
9 Ashes are the food I eat; my tears drip into my drink,
For ashes do I eat like bread, and my drink I mingle with weeping;
10 because of your anger and hostility, for you have picked me up and tossed me away.
Because of thy indignation and thy wrath; for thou hadst lifted me up, and hast 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 declineth; and like the herb I wither.
12 But you, Lord, reign forever, your fame will last for all generations.
But thou, O Lord, wilt sit enthroned for ever; and thy memorial 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 indeed arise; thou wilt have mercy upon Zion; for it is time to favor her, for the appointed time is coming.
14 For the people who follow you love its stones; they value even its dust!
For thy servants hold dear her stones, and her very dust they cherish.
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.
Then shall nations 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 shalt have built up Zion, he appeareth 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 forsaken, and doth 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 down for the latest generation; 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 hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; the Lord hath cast from heaven his view to the earth:
20 to respond to the groans of prisoners, to set free the children of death.
To hear the sighing of the prisoner; to loosen those that are doomed to death:
21 As a result the wonderful nature of the Lord will be celebrated with praise in Jerusalem,
That men may proclaim in Zion the name of the Lord, and his praise in Jerusalem;
22 when the people of many kingdoms gather together to worship the Lord.
When people are gathered together, and kingdoms, to serve the Lord.—
23 But as for me, he broke my health while I was still young, cutting my life short.
He hath weakened on the way my strength; he hath 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 will say, O my God! take me not away in the midst of my days: throughout all generations are thy years.
25 Long ago you created the earth; you made the heavens.
In olden times didst thou lay the foundations 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.
These will indeed perish, but thou wilt ever exist: yea, all of them will wear out like a garment; as a vesture wilt thou change them, and they will be changed;
27 But you are the one who always is; your years never come to an end.
But thou art ever the same, and thy years will 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 will dwell [securely], and their seed will be firmly established before thee.
