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A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before Yahweh.

102 Hear my prayer, Yahweh!
    Let my cry come to you.
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.
For my days consume away like smoke.
    My bones are burned as a torch.
My heart is blighted like grass, and withered,
    for I forget to eat my bread.
By reason of the voice of my groaning,
    my bones stick to my skin.
I am like a pelican of the wilderness.
    I have become as an owl of the waste places.
    I watch, and have become like a sparrow that is alone on the housetop.
My enemies reproach me all day.
    Those who are mad at me use my name as a curse.
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.”

Psalm 102

A Prayer of the afflicted; when he is overwhelmed and faint and pours out his complaint to God.

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come to You.

Hide not Your face from me in the day when I am in distress! Incline Your ear to me; in the day when I call, answer me speedily.

For my days consume away like smoke, and my bones burn like a firebrand or like a hearth.

My heart is smitten like grass and withered, so that [in absorption] I forget to eat my food.

By reason of my loud groaning [from suffering and trouble] my flesh cleaves to my bones.

I am like a melancholy pelican or vulture of the wilderness; I am like a [desolate] owl of the waste places.

I am sleepless and lie awake [mourning], like a bereaved sparrow alone on the housetop.

My adversaries taunt and reproach me all the day; and they who are angry with me use my name as a curse.

For I have eaten the ashes [in which I sat] as if they were bread and have mingled my drink with weeping

10 Because of Your indignation and Your wrath, for You have taken me up and cast me away.

11 My days are like an evening shadow that stretches out and declines [with the sun]; and I am withered like grass.

12 But You, O Lord, are enthroned forever; and the fame of Your name endures to all generations.

13 You will arise and have mercy and loving-kindness for Zion, for it is time to have pity and compassion for her; yes, the set time has come [the moment designated].(A)

14 For Your servants take [melancholy] pleasure in the stones [of her ruins] and show pity for her dust.

15 So the nations shall fear and worshipfully revere the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth Your glory.(B)

16 When the Lord builds up Zion, He will appear in His glory;

17 He will regard the plea of the destitute and will not despise their prayer.

18 Let this be recorded for the generation yet unborn, that a people yet to be created shall praise the Lord.

19 For He looked down from the height of His sanctuary, from heaven did the Lord behold the earth,

20 To hear the sighing and groaning of the prisoner, to loose those who are appointed to death,

21 So that men may declare the name of the Lord in Zion and His praise in Jerusalem

22 When peoples are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to worship and serve the Lord.

23 He has afflicted and weakened my strength, humbling and bringing me low [with sorrow] in the way; He has shortened my days [aging me prematurely].

24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days, You Whose years continue throughout all generations.

25 At the beginning You existed and laid the foundations of the earth; the heavens are the work of Your hands.

26 They shall perish, but You shall remain and endure; yes, all of them shall wear out and become old like a garment. Like clothing You shall change them, and they shall be changed and pass away.

27 But You remain the same, and Your years shall have no end.(C)

28 The children of Your servants shall dwell safely and continue, and their descendants shall be established before You.