The Book of Psalms

⭑ Literal Standard Version :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 102 -

The prayer of the afflicted

A PRAYER OF THE AFFLICTED WHEN HE IS FEEBLE, AND POURS OUT HIS COMPLAINT BEFORE YHWH. O YHWH, hear my prayer, indeed, my cry comes to You.

Do not hide Your face from me, || In a day of my adversity, || Incline Your ear to me, || In the day I call, hurry, answer me.

For my days have been consumed in smoke, || And my bones have burned as a firebrand.

Struck as the herb, and withered, is my heart, || For I have forgotten to eat my bread.

From the voice of my sighing || My bone has cleaved to my flesh.

I have been like to a pelican of the wilderness, || I have been as an owl of the dry places.

I have watched, and I am || As a bird alone on the roof.

All the day my enemies reproached me, || Those mad at me have sworn against me.

Because I have eaten ashes as bread, || And have mingled my drink with weeping,

From Your indignation and Your wrath, || For You have lifted me up, || And cast me down.

My days [are] stretched out as a shadow, || And I am withered as the herb.

And You, O YHWH, abide for all time, || And Your memorial from generation to generation.

You rise—You pity Zion, || For the time to favor her, || For the appointed time has come.

For Your servants have been pleased with her stones, || And they favor her dust.

And nations fear the Name of YHWH, || And all kings of the earth Your glory,

For YHWH has built Zion, || He has been seen in His glory,

He turned to the prayer of the destitute, || And He has not despised their prayer.

This is written for a later generation, || And the people created praise YAH.

For He has looked || From the high place of His sanctuary. YHWH looked attentively from the heavens to earth,

To hear the groan of the prisoner, || To loose sons of death,

To declare in Zion the Name of YHWH, || And His praise in Jerusalem,

In the peoples being gathered together, || And the kingdoms—to serve YHWH.

He has humbled my power in the way, || He has shortened my days.

I say, “My God, do not take me up in the midst of my days,” || Your years [are] through all generations.

You founded the earth before time, || And the heavens [are] the work of Your hands.

They perish, and You remain, || And all of them become old as a garment, || You change them as clothing, || And they are changed.

And You [are] the same, and Your years are not finished.

The sons of Your servants continue, || And their seed is established before You!

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.”