The Book of Psalms

⭑ Geneva Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 102 -

The prayer of the afflicted

A prayer of the afflicted, when he shall be in distresse, and pour forth his meditation before the Lord. O Lord, heare my prayer, and let my crye come vnto thee.

Hide not thy face from me in the time of my trouble: incline thine eares vnto me: when I call, make haste to heare me.

For my dayes are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burnt like an herthe.

Mine heart is smitten and withereth like grasse, because I forgate to eate my bread.

For the voyce of my groning my bones doe cleaue to my skinne.

I am like a pelicane of the wildernesse: I am like an owle of the deserts.

I watch and am as a sparrowe alone vpon the house top.

Mine enemies reuile me dayly, and they that rage against me, haue sworne against me.

Surely I haue eaten asshes as bread, and mingled my drinke with weeping,

Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast heaued me vp, and cast me downe.

My dayes are like a shadowe that fadeth, and I am withered like grasse.

But thou, O Lord, doest remaine for euer, and thy remembrance from generation to generation.

Thou wilt arise and haue mercy vpon Zion: for the time to haue mercie thereon, for the appointed time is come.

For thy seruants delite in the stones thereof, and haue pitie on the dust thereof.

Then the heathen shall feare the Name of the Lord, and all the Kings of the earth thy glory,

When the Lord shall build vp Zion, and shall appeare in his glory,

And shall turne vnto the prayer of the desolate, and not despise their prayer.

This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people, which shalbe created, shall prayse the Lord.

For he hath looked downe from the height of his Sanctuarie: out of the heauen did the Lord beholde the earth,

That he might heare the mourning of the prisoner, and deliuer the children of death:

That they may declare the Name of the Lord in Zion, and his prayse in Ierusalem,

When the people shalbe gathered together, and the kingdomes to serue the Lord.

He abated my strength in the way, and shortened my dayes.

And I sayd, O my God, take me not away in the middes of my dayes: thy yeeres endure from generation to generation.

Thou hast aforetime layde the foundation of the earth, and the heauens are the worke of thine hands.

They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: euen they all shall waxe olde as doeth a garment: as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed.

But thou art the same, and thy yeeres shall not fayle.

The children of thy seruants shall continue, and their seede shall stand fast in thy sight.

The prayer of the afflicted

Hear my prayer, LORD! Let my cry come to you.

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.

For my days consume away like smoke. My bones are burned as a torch.

My heart is blighted like grass, and withered, for I forget to eat my bread.

By reason of the voice of my groaning, my bones stick to my skin.

I am like a pelican of the wilderness. I have become as an owl of the waste places.

I watch, and have become like a sparrow that is alone on the housetop.

My enemies reproach me all day. Those who are mad at me use my name as a curse.

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

because of your indignation and your wrath; for you have taken me up and thrown me away.

My days are like a long shadow. I have withered like grass.

But you, LORD, will remain forever; your renown endures to all generations.

You will arise and have mercy on Zion, for it is time to have pity on her. Yes, the set time has come.

For your servants take pleasure in her stones, and have pity on her dust.

So the nations will fear the LORD’s name, all the kings of the earth your glory.

For the LORD has built up Zion. He has appeared in his glory.

He has responded to the prayer of the destitute, and has not despised their prayer.

This will be written for the generation to come. A people which will be created will praise the LORD,

for he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary. From heaven, the LORD saw the earth,

to hear the groans of the prisoner, to free those who are condemned to death,

that men may declare the LORD’s name in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem,

when the peoples are gathered together, the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.

He weakened my strength along the course. He shortened my days.

I said, “My God, don’t take me away in the middle of my days. Your years are throughout all generations.

Of old, you laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the work of your hands.

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.

But you are the same. Your years will have no end.

The children of your servants will continue. Their offspring will be established before you.”