Psalms 102
Psalms 102
A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before Yahweh.
Hear my prayer, Yahweh! Let my cry come to you. Verse 2. 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. Verse 3. For my days consume away like smoke. My bones are burned as a torch. Verse 4. My heart is blighted like grass, and withered, for I forget to eat my bread. Verse 5. By reason of the voice of my groaning, my bones stick to my skin. Verse 6. I am like a pelican of the wilderness. I have become as an owl of the waste places. Verse 7. I watch, and have become like a sparrow that is alone on the housetop. Verse 8. My enemies reproach me all day. Those who are mad at me use my name as a curse. Verse 9. For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mixed my drink with tears, Verse 10. because of your indignation and your wrath; for you have taken me up and thrown me away. Verse 11. My days are like a long shadow. I have withered like grass. Verse 12. But you, Yahweh, will remain forever; your renown endures to all generations. Verse 13. You will arise and have mercy on Zion, for it is time to have pity on her. Yes, the set time has come. Verse 14. For your servants take pleasure in her stones, and have pity on her dust. Verse 15. So the nations will fear Yahweh’s name, all the kings of the earth your glory. Verse 16. For Yahweh has built up Zion. He has appeared in his glory. Verse 17. He has responded to the prayer of the destitute, and has not despised their prayer. Verse 18. This will be written for the generation to come. A people which will be created will praise Yah, Verse 19. for he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary. From heaven, Yahweh saw the earth, Verse 20. to hear the groans of the prisoner, to free those who are condemned to death, Verse 21. that men may declare Yahweh’s name in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem, Verse 22. when the peoples are gathered together, the kingdoms, to serve Yahweh. Verse 23. He weakened my strength along the course. He shortened my days. Verse 24. I said, “My God, don’t take me away in the middle of my days. Your years are throughout all generations. Verse 25. Of old, you laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the work of your hands. Verse 26. 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. Verse 27. But you are the same. Your years will have no end. Verse 28. The children of your servants will continue. Their offspring will be established before you.”