[1] A prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint and pours out his complaint
before the LORD. [2] Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry come to thee! [3]
Do not hide thy face from me in the day of my distress! Incline thy ear to
me; answer me speedily in the day when I call! [4] For my days pass away
like smoke, and my bones burn like a furnace. [5] My heart is smitten like
grass, and withered; I forget to eat my bread. [6] Because of my loud
groaning my bones cleave to my flesh. [7] I am like a vulture of the
wilderness, like an owl of the waste places; [8] I lie awake, I am like a
lonely bird on the housetop. [9] All the day my enemies taunt me, those who
deride me use my name for a curse. [10] For I eat ashes like bread, and
mingle tears with my drink, [11] because of thy indignation and anger; for
thou hast taken me up and thrown me away. [12] My days are like an evening
shadow; I wither away like grass. [13] But thou, O LORD, art enthroned for
ever; thy name endures to all generations. [14] Thou wilt arise and have
pity on Zion; it is the time to favor her; the appointed time has come.
[15] For thy servants hold her stones dear, and have pity on her dust. [16]
The nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth
thy glory. [17] For the LORD will build up Zion, he will appear in his
glory; [18] he will regard the prayer of the destitute, and will not
despise their supplication. [19] Let this be recorded for a generation to
come, so that a people yet unborn may praise the LORD: [20] that he looked
down from his holy height, from heaven the LORD looked at the earth, [21]
to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to
die; [22] that men may declare in Zion the name of the LORD, and in
Jerusalem his praise, [23] when peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to
worship the LORD. [24] He has broken my strength in mid-course; he has
shortened my days. [25] "O my God," I say, "take me not hence in the midst
of my days, thou whose years endure throughout all generations!" [26] Of
old thou didst lay the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the
work of thy hands. [27] They will perish, but thou dost endure; they will
all wear out like a garment. Thou changest them like raiment, and they pass
away; [28] but thou art the same, and thy years have no end. [ (Psalms
102:29) The children of thy servants shall dwell secure; their posterity
shall be established before thee. ]