Psalms 102

1 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come to you.

[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 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.

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 an hearth.

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

4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that 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 groaning my bones stick to my skin.

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 like an owl of the desert.

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

7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone on the house top.

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

8 My enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against 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 your indignation and your wrath: for you have lifted me up, and cast me down.

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

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

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

12 But you, O LORD, shall endure for ever; and your remembrance to all generations.

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

13 You shall arise, and have mercy on Zion: for the time to favor her, yes, the set 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 your servants take pleasure in her stones, and favor the dust thereof.

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

15 So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth your glory.

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

16 When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.

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

17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise 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 the 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 has 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 To declare 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 people 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 said, O my God, take me not away in the middle of my days: your years are 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 have you laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of your 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 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:

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 you are the same, and your years shall have no end.

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

28 The children of your servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before you.

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