Psalms 102

1 “A prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out before the Lord his complaint.” O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come unto thee.

2 Hide not thy face from me on the day when I am distressed; incline unto me thy ear; on the day when I call, answer me speedily.

3 For my days vanish in smoke, and my bones are burning like a hearth.

4 Struck [by heat] like the herb and dried up is my heart; for I forget to eat my bread.

5 Because of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my flesh.

6 I am like the pelican of the wilderness: I am become like the owl amid ruins.

7 I watch, and I am become like a [night-]bird sitting alone upon the housetop.

8 All the day my enemies reproach me: they that mock me swear by me.

9 For ashes do I eat like bread, and my drink I mingle with weeping;

10 Because of thy indignation and thy wrath; for thou hadst lifted me up, and hast cast me down.

11 My days are like a shadow that declineth; and like the herb I wither.

12 But thou, O Lord, wilt sit enthroned for ever; and thy memorial is unto all generations.

13 Thou wilt indeed arise; thou wilt have mercy upon Zion; for it is time to favor her, for the appointed time is coming.

14 For thy servants hold dear her stones, and her very dust they cherish.

15 Then shall nations fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth thy glory:

16 When the Lord shalt have built up Zion, he appeareth in his glory;

17 [When] he hath regarded the prayer of the forsaken, and doth not despise their prayer.

18 This shall be written down for the latest generation; and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord.

19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; the Lord hath cast from heaven his view to the earth:

20 To hear the sighing of the prisoner; to loosen those that are doomed to death:

21 That men may proclaim in Zion the name of the Lord, and his praise in Jerusalem;

22 When people are gathered together, and kingdoms, to serve the Lord.—

23 He hath weakened on the way my strength; he hath shortened my days.

24 I will say, O my God! take me not away in the midst of my days: throughout all generations are thy years.

25 In olden times didst thou lay the foundations of the earth; and the heavens are the work of thy hands.

26 These will indeed perish, but thou wilt ever exist: yea, all of them will wear out like a garment; as a vesture wilt thou change them, and they will be changed;

27 But thou art ever the same, and thy years will have no end.

28 The children of thy servants will dwell [securely], and their seed will be firmly established before thee.