Psalm 102:1-28
A prayer of the oppressed one when he is in despair* and pours out his concern before Jehovah.+
102 O Jehovah, hear my prayer;+Let my cry for help reach you.+
2 Do not hide your face from me in my time of distress.+
Incline your ear* to me;Do answer me quickly when I call.+
3 For my days are vanishing like smoke,And my bones are charred like a fireplace.+
4 My heart has been struck down like grass and has withered,+For I forget to eat my food.
5 Because of my loud groaning,+My bones cling to my flesh.+
6 I resemble the pelican of the wilderness;I am like a little owl among the ruins.
7 I lie awake;*I am like a solitary bird on a roof.+
8 All day long my enemies taunt me.+
Those who mock me* use my name as a curse.
9 For I eat ashes as my bread,+And my drink is mingled with tears,+
10 Because of your anger and your indignation,For you lifted me up only to cast me aside.
11 My days are like a fading shadow,*+And I am withering like grass.+
12 But you remain forever, O Jehovah,+And your fame* will endure for all generations.+
13 Surely you will rise up and show mercy on Zion,+For it is time to show her your favor;+The appointed time has come.+
14 For your servants find pleasure in her stones+And have affection even for her dust.+
15 The nations will fear the name of Jehovah,And all the kings of the earth your glory.+
16 For Jehovah will rebuild Zion;+He will appear in his glory.+
17 He will pay attention to the prayer of the destitute;+He will not despise their prayer.+
18 This is written for the future generation,+So that a people yet to be brought forth* will praise Jah.
19 For he looks down from his holy height,+From the heavens Jehovah views the earth,
20 To hear the sighing of the prisoner,+To release those sentenced to death,+
21 So that the name of Jehovah will be declared in Zion+And his praise in Jerusalem,
22 When the peoples and kingdomsGather together to serve Jehovah.+
23 He prematurely robbed me of my strength;He cut short my days.
24 I said: “O my God,Do not do away with me in the middle of my life,You whose years span all generations.+
25 Long ago you laid the foundations of the earth,And the heavens are the work of your hands.+
26 They will perish, but you will remain;Just like a garment they will all wear out.
Just like clothing you will replace them, and they will pass away.
27 But you are the same, and your years will never end.+
28 The children of your servants will dwell securely,And their offspring will be firmly established before you.”+
Footnotes
^ Or “he grows weak.”
^ Or “Bend down and listen.”
^ Or possibly, “I am emaciated.”
^ Or “make a fool of me.”
^ Or “a lengthening shadow.”
^ Or “name.” Lit., “memorial.”
^ Lit., “be created.”
