Psalms 102
1 The prayer: for a weary and suffering person who pours out their grief to the Lord. Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry for help come to you.
[A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before Jehovah.] Hear my prayer, Jehovah. Let my cry come to you.
2 Hide not your face from me in the day of my distress. Incline your ear to me: when I call, answer me speedily.
Do not 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.
3 For my days pass away like smoke: my bones are burned through as with fire.
For my days consume away like smoke. My bones are burned like a hearth.
4 My heart is scorched, withered like grass; I forget to eat my bread.
My heart is blighted like grass, and withered, for I forget to eat my bread.
5 By reason of my loud groaning, my flesh clings to my bones.
By reason of the voice of my groaning, my bones stick to my skin.
6 Like a desert-owl of the wilderness, like an owl among ruins am I.
I am like a pelican of the wilderness. I have become as an owl of the waste places.
7 I make my sleepless lament like a bird on the house-top alone.
I watch, and have become like a sparrow that is alone on the housetop.
8 All the day wild foes revile me, using my name for a curse.
My enemies reproach me all day. Those who are mad at me use my name as a curse.
9 For ashes have been my bread, and tears have been mixed with my cup.
For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mixed my drink with tears,
10 Because of your passionate anger, you did raise me, then hurl me to the ground.
Because of your indignation and your wrath, for you have taken me up, and thrown me away.
11 My days come to an end, shadows lengthen, I wither like grass.
My days are like a long shadow. I have withered like grass.
12 But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever, your fame endures to all generations.
But you, Jehovah, will abide forever; your renown endures to all generations.
13 You will arise and have pity on Zion; it’s time to be gracious; her hour has come.
You will arise and have mercy on Zion; for it is time to have pity on her. Yes, the set time has come.
14 For even her stones are dear to your servants, even the dust of her ruins they look on with love.
For your servants take pleasure in her stones, and have pity on her dust.
15 Then the nations will revere the name of the Lord and all the kings of the earth his glory,
So the nations will fear the name of Jehovah; all the kings of the earth your glory.
16 when the Lord shall have built up Zion, and revealed himself in his glory,
For Jehovah has built up Zion. He has appeared in his glory.
17 in response to the prayer of the destitute, whose prayer he will not despise.
He has responded to the prayer of the destitute, and has not despised their prayer.
18 Let this be recorded for ages to come, that the Lord may be praised by a people yet unborn.
This will be written for the generation to come, that a people yet to be created may praise JAH.
19 For he shall look down from his holy height, from the heavens the Lord will gaze on the earth,
For he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary. From heaven, Jehovah looked at the earth;
20 to hear the groans of the prisoner, to free those who are doomed to die;
to hear the groans of the prisoner; to free those who are condemned to death;
21 that people may recount the Lord’s fame in Zion, and the praise of him in Jerusalem,
that men may declare the name of Jehovah in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
22 when the nations are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to worship the Lord.
when the peoples are gathered together, the kingdoms, to serve Jehovah.
23 He has broken my strength on the way, he has shortened my days.
He weakened my strength along the course. He shortened my days.
24 I will say, ‘My God, take me not hence in the midst of my days. ‘Your years endure age after age.
I said, "My God, do not take me away in the midst of my days. Your years are throughout all generations.
25 Of old you have founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.
In the beginning, Jehovah, you established the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the works of your hands.
26 They shall perish; but you do stand. They shall all wax old like a garment, and change as a robe you will change them.
They will perish, but you remain; and they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a cloak, and they will be changed.
27 But you are the same, your years are endless.
But you are the same. Your years will have no end.
28 The children of your servants abide, evermore shall their seed be before you.’
The children of your servants will continue, and their descendants will be established before you."
