Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

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.”

² “Oh that my anguish were weighed,
    and all my calamity laid in the balances!
³ For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas,
    therefore my words have been rash.
⁴ For the arrows of the Almighty are within me.
    My spirit drinks up their poison.
The terrors of God set themselves in array against me.
⁵     Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass?
Or does the ox low over his fodder?
⁶     Can that which has no flavor be eaten without salt?
Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
⁷     My soul refuses to touch them.
They are as loathsome food to me.

⁸ “Oh that I might have my request,
    that God would grant the thing that I long for,
⁹ even that it would please God to crush me;
    that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
¹⁰ Let it still be my consolation,
    yes, let me exult in pain that doesn’t spare,
    that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
¹¹ What is my strength, that I should wait?
    What is my end, that I should be patient?
¹² Is my strength the strength of stones?
    Or is my flesh of bronze?
¹³ Isn’t it that I have no help in me,
    that wisdom is driven away from me?