102:1 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.

102:2 Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly.

102:3 For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers.

102:4 My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food.

102:5 Because of my loud groaning I am reduced to skin and bones.

102:6 I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins.

102:7 I lie awake; I have become like a bird alone on a roof.

102:8 All day long my enemies taunt me; those who rail against me use my name as a curse.

102:9 For I eat ashes as my food and mingle my drink with tears

102:10 because of your great wrath, for you have taken me up and thrown me aside.

102:11 My days are like the evening shadow; I wither away like grass.

102:12 But you, O LORD, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations.

102:13 You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come.

102:14 For her stones are dear to your servants; her very dust moves them to pity.

102:15 The nations will fear the name of the LORD, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.

102:16 For the LORD will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory.

102:17 He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea.

102:18 Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD:

102:19 "The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth,

102:20 to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death."

102:21 So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem

102:22 when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the LORD.

102:23 In the course of my life he broke my strength; he cut short my days.

102:24 So I said: "Do not take me away, O my God, in the midst of my days; your years go on through all generations.

102:25 In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

102:26 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.

102:27 But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

102:28 The children of your servants will live in your presence; their descendants will be established before you."