1 A prayer of an afflicted man. When he is faint and pours out his lament before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come to you. |
2 Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly. |
3 For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers. |
4 My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food. |
5 Because of my loud groaning I am reduced to skin and bones. |
6 I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins. |
7 I lie awake; I have become like a bird alone on a roof. |
8 All day long my enemies taunt me; those who rail against me use my name as a curse. |
9 For I eat ashes as my food and mingle my drink with tears |
10 because of your great wrath, for you have taken me up and thrown me aside. |
11 My days are like the evening shadow; I wither away like grass. |
12 But you, O LORD, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations. |
13 You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come. |
14 For her stones are dear to your servants; her very dust moves them to pity. |
15 The nations will fear the name of the LORD, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory. |
16 For the LORD will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory. |
17 He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea. |
18 Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD: |
19 "The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth, |
20 to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death." |
21 So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem |
22 when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the LORD. |
23 In the course of my life he broke my strength; he cut short my days. |
24 So I said: "Do not take me away, O my God, in the midst of my days; your years go on through all generations. |
25 In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. |
26 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. |
27 But you remain the same, and your years will never end. |
28 The children of your servants will live in your presence; their descendants will be established before you." |