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 in deep distress he poureth out his complaint before the Lord.” Hear my prayer, O LORD! 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 to me when I call! Answer me speedily!
3 My life is disappearing like smoke; my body feels like it's on fire!
For my life is consumed like smoke, And my bones burn like a brand.
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 forget to eat my bread.
5 All my groaning has worn me out; my bones show through my skin.
By reason of my sighing, my bones cleave to my skin;
6 I'm like a desert owl, like a little owl among the ruins.
I am like the pelican of the wilderness; I am like an owl amid ruins.
7 I can't sleep. I'm like a lonely bird on a rooftop.
I am sleepless; I am like a solitary bird upon the house-top.
8 My enemies taunt me all day long. They mock me and swear at me.
All the day long my enemies reproach me; They who rage against me curse by me.
9 Ashes are the food I eat; my tears drip into my drink,
For I eat ashes like bread, And mingle my drink with tears.
10 because of your anger and hostility, for you have picked me up and tossed me away.
On account 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 life is like a declining shadow, And I wither like grass.
12 But you, Lord, reign forever, your fame will last for all generations.
But thou, O LORD! endurest for ever, And thy name 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 arise and have pity upon Zion, For the time to favor her, yea, 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; Yea, they have a regard for 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.
Then shall the nations 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.
For Jehovah will 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, And not despise their supplication.
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, That the people to be born may praise Jehovah.
19 The Lord looked down from above, from the heights of his holy place; he looked down from heaven to the earth,
For he looketh down from his holy height, From heaven doth he cast his eye upon the earth,
20 to respond to the groans of prisoners, to set free the children of death.
To listen to the sighs of the prisoner. To release those that are doomed to death;
21 As a result the wonderful nature of the Lord will be celebrated with praise in Jerusalem,
That they may declare the name of Jehovah in Zion, And his praise in Jerusalem,
22 when the people of many kingdoms gather together to worship the Lord.
When the nations are assembled 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 hath weakened my strength on the way, 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 say, O my God! take me not away in the midst of my days! Thy years endure through all generations.
25 Long ago you created the earth; you made the heavens.
Of old hast thou laid 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.
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 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 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 posterity shall be established before thee.
