Psalms 102:1-28

  • A prayer of an oppressed one in despair

    • “I am like a solitary bird” (7)

    • ‘My days are a fading shadow’ (11)

    • “Jehovah will rebuild Zion” (16)

    • Jehovah remains forever (26, 27)

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.+   Do not hide your face from me in my time of distress.+ Incline your ear* to me;Do answer me quickly when I call.+   For my days are vanishing like smoke,And my bones are charred like a fireplace.+   My heart has been struck down like grass and has withered,+For I forget to eat my food.   Because of my loud groaning,+My bones cling to my flesh.+   I resemble the pelican of the wilderness;I am like a little owl among the ruins.   I lie awake;*I am like a solitary bird on a roof.+   All day long my enemies taunt me.+ Those who mock me* use my name as a curse.   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.”