Psalms 102

1 A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come to thee.

A prayer of the afflicted when he is faint and pours out his lament before Yahweh. Hear my prayer, Yahweh; hear my cry to you.

2 Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thy ear to me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.

Do not hide your face from me in my time of trouble. Listen to me. When I call out to you, answer me quickly.

3 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.

For my days pass away like smoke, and my bones burn like fire.

4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.

My heart is crushed, and I am like grass that has withered. I forget to eat any food.

5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.

With my continual groaning, I have become very thin.

6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.

I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I have become like an owl in the ruins.

7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the housetop.

I lie awake like a solitary bird, alone on the housetop.

8 My enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.

My enemies taunt me all day long; those who mock me use my name in curses.

9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,

I eat ashes like bread and mix my drink with tears.

10 Because of thy indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.

Because of your raging anger, you have lifted me up to throw me down.

11 My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.

My days are like a shadow that fades, and I have withered like grass.

12 But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance to all generations.

But you, Yahweh, live forever, and your fame is for all generations.

13 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.

You will rise up and have mercy on Zion. Now is the time to have mercy upon her; the appointed time has come.

14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour her dust.

For your servants hold her stones dear and feel compassion for the dust of her ruins.

15 So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.

The nations will respect your name, Yahweh, and all the kings of the earth will honor your glory.

16 When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.

Yahweh will rebuild Zion and will appear in his glory.

17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.

At that time, he will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not reject their prayer.

18 This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.

This will be written for future generations, and a people not yet born will praise Yahweh.

19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven hath the LORD beheld the earth;

For he has looked down from the holy heights; from heaven Yahweh has viewed the earth,

20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;

to hear the groaning of the prisoners, to release those who were condemned to death.

21 To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;

Then men will proclaim the name of Yahweh in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem

22 When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.

when the peoples and kingdoms gather together to serve Yahweh.

23 He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.

He has taken away my strength in the middle of life. He has shortened my days.

24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.

I said, “My God, do not take me away in the middle of life; you are here throughout all generations.

25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.

In ancient times you set the earth in place; the heavens are the work of your hands.

26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall grow old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:

They will perish, but you will remain; they will all grow old like a garment; like clothing, you will remove them, and they will disappear.

27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.

But you are the same, and your years will have no end.

28 The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.

The children of your servants will live on, and their descendants will live in your presence.”