Psalm 102

102:1

A prayer of one who is afflicted, when he grows faint and pours out his lament before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come before You.

102:2

Do not hide Your face from me in my day of distress. Incline Your ear to me; answer me quickly when I call.

102:3

For my days vanish like smoke, and my bones burn like glowing embers.

102:4

My heart is afflicted, and withered like grass; I even forget to eat my bread.

102:5

Through my loud groaning my flesh clings to my bones.

102:6

I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins.

102:7

I lie awake; I am like a lone bird on a housetop.

102:8

All day long my enemies taunt me; they ridicule me and curse me.

102:9

For I have eaten ashes like bread and mixed my drink with tears

102:10

because of Your indignation and wrath, for You have picked me up and cast me aside.

102:11

My days are like lengthening shadows, and I wither away like grass.

102:12

But You, O LORD, sit enthroned forever; Your renown endures to all generations.

102:13

You will rise up and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show her favor—the appointed time has come.

102:14

For Your servants delight in her stones and take pity on her dust.

102:15

So the nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth will fear Your glory.

102:16

For the LORD will rebuild Zion; He has appeared in His glory.

102:17

He will turn toward the prayer of the destitute; He will not despise their prayer.

102:18

Let this be written for the generation to come, so that a people not yet created may praise the LORD.

102:19

For He looked down from the heights of His sanctuary; the LORD gazed out from heaven to earth

102:20

to hear a prisoner’s groaning, to release those condemned to death,

102:21

that they may proclaim the name of the LORD in Zion and praise Him in Jerusalem,

102:22

when peoples and kingdoms assemble to serve the LORD.

102:23

He has broken my strength on the way; He has cut short my days.

102:24

I say: “O my God, do not take me in the midst of my days! Your years go on through all generations.

102:25

In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.

102:26

They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing You will change them, and they will be passed on.

102:27

But You remain the same, and Your years will never end.

102:28

The children of Your servants will dwell securely, and their descendants will be established before You.”