Psalm 102
A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his
complaint before the LORD.
1 Hear
my prayer,
LORD!
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, LORD,
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
the LORD’s name,
all the kings of
the earth
your glory.
16 For
the LORD 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 the
LORD,
19 for
he has looked down
from the height of
his sanctuary.
From heaven, the
LORD saw the earth,
20 to hear
the groans of
the prisoner,
to free those who
are condemned to death,
21 that
men may declare
the LORD’s name
in Zion,
and his praise
in Jerusalem,
22 when
the peoples are gathered together,
the kingdoms, to serve
the LORD.
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.”