Psalms 102
1 [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.
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 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.
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 consume away like smoke. My bones are burned like a hearth.
My life is disappearing like smoke; my body feels like it's on fire!
4 My heart is blighted like grass, and withered, for 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 stick 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 have become as an owl of the waste places.
I'm like a desert owl, like a little owl among the ruins.
7 I watch, and have become like a sparrow that is alone on the housetop.
I can't sleep. I'm like a lonely bird on a rooftop.
8 My enemies reproach me all day. Those who are mad at me use my name as a curse.
My enemies taunt me all day long. They mock me and swear at me.
9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mixed my drink with tears,
Ashes are the food I eat; my tears drip into my drink,
10 Because of your indignation and your wrath, for you have taken me up, and thrown me away.
because of your anger and hostility, for you have picked me up and tossed me away.
11 My days are like a long shadow. I have withered like grass.
My life is fading away like a shadow that lengthens—I'm withering away like grass.
12 But you, LORD, will abide forever; your renown endures to all generations.
But you, Lord, reign forever, your fame will last for all generations.
13 You will arise and have mercy on Zion; for it is time to have pity on her. Yes, the set time has 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 your servants take pleasure in her stones, and have pity on her dust.
For the people who follow you love its stones; they value even its dust!
15 So the nations will fear the name of the LORD; all the kings of the earth your 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 For the LORD has built up Zion. He has appeared in his glory.
For the Lord will rebuild Jerusalem; he will appear in glory.
17 He has responded to the prayer of the destitute, and has not despised their prayer.
He will pay attention to the prayers of the homeless; he will not disregard their requests.
18 This will be written for the generation to come, that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD.
Let this be recorded for generations to come, so that people yet to be born may praise the Lord:
19 For he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary. From heaven, the LORD looked at 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 groans of the prisoner; to free those who are condemned to death;
to respond to the groans of prisoners, to set free the children of death.
21 that men may declare the name of the LORD 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 peoples are gathered together, the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
when the people of many kingdoms gather together to worship the Lord.
23 He weakened my strength along the course. He shortened my days.
But as for me, he broke my health while I was still young, cutting my life short.
24 I said, "My God, do not take me away in the midst of my days. Your 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 In the beginning, LORD, you established the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the works of your hands.
Long ago you created the earth; you made the heavens.
26 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.
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 you are the same. Your years will have no end.
But you are the one who always is; your years never come to an end.
28 The children of your servants will continue, and their descendants will be established before you."
Our children will live with you, and our children's children will grow in your presence.”
