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 faint and pours out his lament before Yahweh. Hear my prayer, Yahweh; hear my cry 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.
Do not hide your face from me in my time of trouble. Listen to me. When I call out to you, answer me quickly.
3 My life is disappearing like smoke; my body feels like it's on fire!
For my days pass away like smoke, and my bones burn like fire.
4 I'm like grass that's dried up, withered away—I even forget to eat!
My heart is crushed, and I am like grass that has withered. I forget to eat any food.
5 All my groaning has worn me out; my bones show through my skin.
With my continual groaning, I have become very thin.
6 I'm like a desert owl, like a little owl among the ruins.
I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I have become like an owl in the ruins.
7 I can't sleep. I'm like a lonely bird on a rooftop.
I lie awake like a solitary bird, alone on the housetop.
8 My enemies taunt me all day long. They mock me and swear at me.
My enemies taunt me all day long; those who mock me use my name in curses.
9 Ashes are the food I eat; my tears drip into my drink,
I eat ashes like bread and mix my drink with tears.
10 because of your anger and hostility, for you have picked me up and tossed me away.
Because of your raging anger, you have lifted me up to throw 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 fades, and I have withered like grass.
12 But you, Lord, reign forever, your fame will last for all generations.
But you, Yahweh, live forever, and your fame is for 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 will rise up and have mercy on Zion. Now is the time to have mercy upon her; the appointed time has come.
14 For the people who follow you love its stones; they value even its dust!
For your servants hold her stones dear and feel compassion for the dust of her ruins.
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.
The nations will respect your name, Yahweh, and all the kings of the earth will honor your glory.
16 For the Lord will rebuild Jerusalem; he will appear in glory.
Yahweh will rebuild Zion and will appear in his glory.
17 He will pay attention to the prayers of the homeless; he will not disregard their requests.
At that time, he will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not reject their prayer.
18 Let this be recorded for generations to come, so that people yet to be born may praise the Lord:
This will be written for future generations, and a people not yet born will praise Yahweh.
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 holy heights; from heaven Yahweh has viewed the earth,
20 to respond to the groans of prisoners, to set free the children of death.
to hear the groaning of the prisoners, to release those who were condemned to death.
21 As a result the wonderful nature of the Lord will be celebrated with praise in Jerusalem,
Then men will proclaim the name of Yahweh in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem
22 when the people of many kingdoms gather together to worship the Lord.
when the peoples and kingdoms gather together to serve Yahweh.
23 But as for me, he broke my health while I was still young, cutting my life short.
He has taken away my strength in the middle of life. He has 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, do not take me away in the middle of life; you are here throughout all generations.
25 Long ago you created the earth; you made the heavens.
In ancient times you set the earth in place; 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 will perish, but you will remain; they will all grow old like a garment; like clothing, you will remove them, and they will disappear.
27 But you are the one who always is; your years never come to an end.
But you are the same, and your 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 your servants will live on, and their descendants will live in your presence.”
