1 | Hear my prayer, Yahweh! 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, 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 the name of Yahweh; 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 the name of Yahweh 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 midst 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 seed will be established before you." 3 By David. |