Psalms 102
1 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!
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 Don't hide your face from me in my time of trouble! Turn and listen to me, and answer me quickly when I call.
Don’t 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 My life is disappearing like smoke; my body feels like it's on fire!
For my days consume away like smoke. My bones are burnt as a torch.
4 I'm like grass that's dried up, withered away—I even forget to eat!
My heart is blighted like grass, and withered, for I forget to eat my bread.
5 All my groaning has worn me out; my bones show through my skin.
By reason of the voice of my groaning, my bones stick to my skin.
6 I'm like a desert owl, like a little owl among the ruins.
I am like a pelican of the wilderness. I have become as an owl of the waste places.
7 I can't sleep. I'm like a lonely bird on a rooftop.
I watch, and have become like a sparrow that is alone on the housetop.
8 My enemies taunt me all day long. They mock me and swear at me.
My enemies reproach me all day. Those who are mad at me use my name as a curse.
9 Ashes are the food I eat; my tears drip into my drink,
For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mixed my drink with tears,
10 because of your anger and hostility, for you have picked me up and tossed me away.
because of your indignation and your wrath; for you have taken me up and thrown me away.
11 My life is fading away like a shadow that lengthens—I'm withering away like grass.
My days are like a long shadow. I have withered like grass.
12 But you, Lord, reign forever, your fame will last for all generations.
But you, LORD, will remain forever; your renown endures to all generations.
13 You will take action and have pity on Jerusalem, for it's time to be kind to the city, the time has 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 the people who follow you love its stones; they value even its dust!
For your servants take pleasure in her stones, and have pity on her dust.
15 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.
So the nations will fear the LORD’s name, all the kings of the earth your glory.
16 For the Lord will rebuild Jerusalem; he will appear in glory.
For the LORD has built up Zion. He has appeared in his glory.
17 He will pay attention to the prayers of the homeless; he will not disregard their requests.
He has responded to the prayer of the destitute, and has not despised their prayer.
18 Let this be recorded for generations to come, so that people yet to be born may praise the Lord:
This will be written for the generation to come. A people which will be created will praise the LORD,
19 The Lord looked down from above, from the heights of his holy place; he looked down from heaven to the earth,
for he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary. From heaven, the LORD saw the earth,
20 to respond to the groans of prisoners, to set free the children of death.
to hear the groans of the prisoner, to free those who are condemned to death,
21 As a result the wonderful nature of the Lord will be celebrated with praise in Jerusalem,
that men may declare the LORD’s name in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem,
22 when the people of many kingdoms gather together to worship the Lord.
when the peoples are gathered together, the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
23 But as for me, he broke my health while I was still young, cutting my life short.
He weakened my strength along the course. He shortened my days.
24 I cried out, “My God, don't take my life while I'm young! You are the one who lives forever.
I said, “My God, don’t take me away in the middle of my days. Your years are throughout all generations.
25 Long ago you created the earth; you made the heavens.
Of old, you laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the work of your hands.
26 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.
They will perish, but you will endure. Yes, all of them will wear out like a garment. You will change them like a cloak, and they will be changed.
27 But you are the one who always is; your years never come to an end.
But you are the same. Your years will have no end.
28 Our children will live with you, and our children's children will grow in your presence.”
The children of your servants will continue. Their offspring will be established before you.”
