Psalms 102

1A prayer of one who is lowly and faint, pouring forth a plea before GOD.

2O ETERNAL One, hear my prayer;let my cry come before You.

3Do not hide Your face from mein my time of trouble;turn Your ear to me;when I cry, answer me speedily.

4For my days have vanished like smokeand my bones are charred like a hearth.

5My body is stricken and withered like grass;too wasted to eat my food;

6on account of my vehement groaningmy bones show through my skin.

7I am like a great owl in the wilderness,an owl among the ruins.

8I lie awake; I am likea lone bird upon a roof.

9All day long my enemies revile me;my deriders use my name to curse.

10For I have eaten ashes like breadand mixed my drink with tears,

11because of Your wrath and Your fury;for You have cast me far away.

12My days are like a lengthening shadow;I wither like grass.

13But You, O ETERNAL One, are enthroned forever;Your fame endures throughout the ages.

14You will surely arise and take pity on Zion,for it is time to be gracious to her;the appointed time has come.

15Your servants take delight in its stones,and cherish its dust.

16The nations will fear the name of GOD,all the kings of the earth, Your glory.

17For GOD has built Zion,appearing in divine glory—

18turning to the prayer of the destitute and not spurning their prayer.

19May this be written down for a coming generation,that people yet to be created may praise Yah.

20Looking down from the holy heights, GOD beholds the earth from heaven

21to hear the groans of the prisoner,to release those condemned to death;

22that GOD’s fame may be recounted in Zion,with praises offered in Jerusalem,

23when the nations gather together,the kingdoms, to serve GOD.

24My strength was drained in mid-course,my days shortened.

25I say, “O my God, do not take me awayin the midst of my days,You whose years go on for generations on end.

26Of old You established the earth;the heavens are the work of Your hands.

27They shall perish, but You shall endure;they shall all wear out like a garment;You change them like clothing and they pass away.

28But You are the same, and Your years never end.

29May the children of Your servants dwell securelyand their offspring endure in Your presence.”