Psalms 102
Psalm 1021
The prayer of an oppressed man, as he grows faint and pours out his lament before the Lord.
Pay attention to my cry for help!2
102:2 Do not ignore me in my time of trouble!3
Listen to me!4
When I call out to you, quickly answer me!
102:3 For my days go up in smoke,5
and my bones are charred like a fireplace.6
102:4 My heart is parched7 and withered like grass,
for I am unable8 to eat food.9
102:5 Because of the anxiety that makes me groan,
my bones protrude from my skin.10
102:6 I am like an owl11 in the wilderness;
I am like a screech owl12 among the ruins.13
102:7 I stay awake;14
I am like a solitary bird on a roof.
102:8 All day long my enemies taunt me;
those who mock me use my name in their curses.15
102:9 For I eat ashes as if they were bread,16
and mix my drink with my tears,17
102:10 because of your anger and raging fury.
Indeed,18 you pick me up and throw me away.
102:11 My days are coming to an end,19
and I am withered like grass.
102:12 But you, O Lord, rule forever,20
and your reputation endures.21
102:13 You will rise up and have compassion on Zion.22
For it is time to have mercy on her,
for the appointed time has come.
102:14 Indeed,23 your servants take delight in her stones,
and feel compassion for24 the dust of her ruins.25
102:15 The nations will respect the reputation of the Lord,26
and all the kings of the earth will respect27 his splendor,
102:16 when the Lord rebuilds Zion,
and reveals his splendor,
102:17 when he responds to the prayer of the destitute,28
and does not reject29 their request.30
102:18 The account of his intervention31 will be recorded for future generations;
people yet to be born will praise the Lord.
102:19 For he will look down from his sanctuary above;32
from heaven the Lord will look toward earth,33
102:20 in order to hear the painful cries of the prisoners,
and to set free those condemned to die,34
102:21 so they may proclaim the name of the Lord in Zion,
and praise him35 in Jerusalem,36
102:22 when the nations gather together,
and the kingdoms pay tribute to the Lord.37
102:23 He has taken away my strength in the middle of life;38
he has cut short my days.
102:24 I say, “O my God, please do not take me away in the middle of my life!39
You endure through all generations.40
102:25 In earlier times you established the earth;
the skies are your handiwork.
but you will endure.41
They will wear out like a garment;
like clothes you will remove them and they will disappear.42
102:27 But you remain;43
your years do not come to an end.
102:28 The children of your servants will settle down here,
and their descendants44 will live securely in your presence.”45