Psalms 102
1 Hear my prayer, O Yhwh, and let my cry come unto thee.
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!
2 Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.
Don't hide your face from me in my time of trouble! Turn and listen to me, and answer me quickly when I call.
3 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.
My life is disappearing like smoke; my body feels like it's on fire!
4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.
I'm like grass that's dried up, withered away—I even forget to eat!
5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.
All my groaning has worn me out; my bones show through my skin.
6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.
I'm like a desert owl, like a little owl among the ruins.
7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
I can't sleep. I'm like a lonely bird on a rooftop.
8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.
My enemies taunt me all day long. They mock me and swear at me.
9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,
Ashes are the food I eat; my tears drip into my drink,
10 Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.
because of your anger and hostility, for you have picked me up and tossed me away.
11 My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.
My life is fading away like a shadow that lengthens—I'm withering away like grass.
12 But thou, O Yhwh, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.
But you, Lord, reign forever, your fame will last for all generations.
13 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.
You will take action and have pity on Jerusalem, for it's time to be kind to the city, the time has come.
14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.
For the people who follow you love its stones; they value even its dust!
15 So the heathen shall fear the name of Yhwh, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.
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.
16 When Yhwh shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
For the Lord will rebuild Jerusalem; he will appear in glory.
17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
He will pay attention to the prayers of the homeless; he will not disregard their requests.
18 This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise Yah.
Let this be recorded for generations to come, so that people yet to be born may praise the Lord:
19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did Yhwh behold the earth;
The Lord looked down from above, from the heights of his holy place; he looked down from heaven to the earth,
20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;
to respond to the groans of prisoners, to set free the children of death.
21 To declare the name of Yhwh in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
As a result the wonderful nature of the Lord will be celebrated with praise in Jerusalem,
22 When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve Yhwh.
when the people of many kingdoms gather together to worship the Lord.
23 He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.
But as for me, he broke my health while I was still young, cutting my life short.
24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.
I cried out, “My God, don't take my life while I'm young! You are the one who lives forever.
25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
Long ago you created the earth; you made the heavens.
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 be changed:
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.
27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
But you are the one who always is; your years never come to an end.
28 The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.
Our children will live with you, and our children's children will grow in your presence.”
