Psalm 102
A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before Yahweh.
¹ Hear my prayer, Yahweh! Let my cry come to you.
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.
³ For my days consume away like smoke. My bones are burned as a torch.
⁴ My heart is blighted like grass, and withered, for I forget to eat my bread.
⁵ By reason of the voice of my groaning, my bones stick to my skin.
⁶ I am like a pelican of the wilderness. I have become as an owl of the waste places.
⁷ I watch, and have become like a sparrow that is alone on the housetop.
⁸ My enemies reproach me all day. Those who are mad at me use my name as a curse.
⁹ For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mixed my drink with tears,
¹⁰ because of your indignation and your wrath; for you have taken me up and thrown me away.
¹¹ My days are like a long shadow. I have withered like grass.
¹² But you, Yahweh, will remain forever; your renown endures to all generations.
¹³ 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 your servants take pleasure in her stones, and have pity on her dust.
¹⁵ So the nations will fear Yahweh’s name, all the kings of the earth your glory.
¹⁶ For Yahweh has built up Zion. He has appeared in his glory.
¹⁷ He has responded to the prayer of the destitute, and has not despised their prayer.
¹⁸ This will be written for the generation to come. A people which will be created will praise Yah,
¹⁹ for he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary. From heaven, Yahweh saw the earth,
²⁰ to hear the groans of the prisoner, to free those who are condemned to death,
²¹ that men may declare Yahweh’s name in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem,
²² when the peoples are gathered together, the kingdoms, to serve Yahweh.
²³ He weakened my strength along the course. He shortened my days.
²⁴ I said, “My God, don’t take me away in the middle of my days. Your years are throughout all generations.
²⁵ Of old, you laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the work of your hands.
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.
²⁷ But you are the same. Your years will have no end.
²⁸ The children of your servants will continue. Their offspring will be established before you.”