The prayer of the afflicted
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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.
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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.
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For my days have been consumed in smoke, || And my bones have burned as a firebrand.
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Struck as the herb, and withered, is my heart, || For I have forgotten to eat my bread.
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From the voice of my sighing || My bone has cleaved to my flesh.
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I have been like to a pelican of the wilderness, || I have been as an owl of the dry places.
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I have watched, and I am || As a bird alone on the roof.
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All the day my enemies reproached me, || Those mad at me have sworn against me.
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Because I have eaten ashes as bread, || And have mingled my drink with weeping,
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From Your indignation and Your wrath, || For You have lifted me up, || And cast me down.
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My days [are] stretched out as a shadow, || And I am withered as the herb.
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And You, O YHWH, abide for all time, || And Your memorial from generation to generation.
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You rise—You pity Zion, || For the time to favor her, || For the appointed time has come.
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For Your servants have been pleased with her stones, || And they favor her dust.
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And nations fear the Name of YHWH, || And all kings of the earth Your glory,
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For YHWH has built Zion, || He has been seen in His glory,
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He turned to the prayer of the destitute, || And He has not despised their prayer.
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This is written for a later generation, || And the people created praise YAH.
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For He has looked || From the high place of His sanctuary. YHWH looked attentively from the heavens to earth,
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To hear the groan of the prisoner, || To loose sons of death,
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To declare in Zion the Name of YHWH, || And His praise in Jerusalem,
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In the peoples being gathered together, || And the kingdoms—to serve YHWH.
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He has humbled my power in the way, || He has shortened my days.
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I say, “My God, do not take me up in the midst of my days,” || Your years [are] through all generations.
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You founded the earth before time, || And the heavens [are] the work of Your hands.
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They perish, and You remain, || And all of them become old as a garment, || You change them as clothing, || And they are changed.
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And You [are] the same, and Your years are not finished.
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The sons of Your servants continue, || And their seed is established before You!
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