Psalms 102

1 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.

[A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before the LORD.] Hear my prayer, LORD. Let my cry come to you.

2 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.

Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress. Turn your ear to me. Answer me quickly in the day when I call.

3 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as a hearth.

For my days consume away like smoke. My bones are burned like a hearth.

4 My heart is smitten like grass, and withered; for I forget to eat my bread.

My heart is blighted like grass, and withered, for I forget to eat my bread.

5 By reason of the voice of my sighing my bones cleave to my flesh.

By reason of the voice of my groaning, my bones stick to my skin.

6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am become as an owl of the waste places.

I am like a pelican of the wilderness. I have become as an owl of the waste places.

7 I watch, and am become like a sparrow that is alone upon the housetop.

I watch, and have become like a sparrow that is alone on the housetop.

8 Mine enemies taunt me all the day; they that are mad against me do curse by me.

My enemies reproach me all day. Those who are mad at me use my name as a curse.

9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,

For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mixed my drink with tears,

10 Because of Thine indignation and Thy wrath; for Thou hast taken me up, and cast me away.

Because of your indignation and your wrath, for you have taken me up, and thrown me away.

11 My days are like a lengthening shadow; and I am withered like grass.

My days are like a long shadow. I have withered like grass.

12 But Thou, O LORD, sittest enthroned for ever; and Thy name is unto all generations.

But you, LORD, will abide forever; your renown endures to all generations.

13 Thou wilt arise, and have compassion upon Zion; for it is time to be gracious unto her, for the appointed time is come.

You will arise and have mercy on Zion; for it is time to have pity on her. Yes, the set time has come.

14 For Thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and love her dust.

For your servants take pleasure in her stones, and have pity on her dust.

15 So the nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth Thy glory;

So the nations will fear the name of the LORD; all the kings of the earth your glory.

16 When the LORD hath built up Zion, when He hath appeared in His glory;

For the LORD has built up Zion. He has appeared in his glory.

17 When He hath regarded the prayer of the destitute, and hath not despised their prayer.

He has responded to the prayer of the destitute, and has not despised their prayer.

18 This shall be written for the generation to come; and a people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.

This will be written for the generation to come, that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD.

19 For He hath looked down from the height of His sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;

For he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary. From heaven, the LORD looked at the earth;

20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;

to hear the groans of the prisoner; to free those who are condemned to death;

21 That men may tell of the name of the LORD in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem;

that men may declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;

22 When the peoples are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.

when the peoples are gathered together, the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.

23 He weakened my strength in the way; He shortened my days.

He weakened my strength along the course. He shortened my days.

24 I say: 'O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days, Thou whose years endure throughout all generations.

I said, "My God, do not take me away in the midst of my days. Your years are throughout all generations.

25 Of old Thou didst lay the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the work of Thy hands.

In the beginning, LORD, you established the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the works of your hands.

26 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;

They will perish, but you remain; and they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a cloak, and they will be changed.

27 But Thou art the selfsame, and Thy years shall have no end.

But you are the same. Your years will have no end.

28 The children of Thy servants shall dwell securely, and their seed shall be established before Thee.'

The children of your servants will continue, and their descendants will be established before you."