The Book of Psalms

⭑ King James Version :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 102 -

The prayer of the afflicted

Hear my prayer, O Lord , and let my cry come unto thee.(a)

Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.

For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.(b)

My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.

By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.(c)

I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.

I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.

Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.

For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,

Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.

My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.

But thou, O Lord , shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.

Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.

For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.

So the heathen shall fear the name of the Lord , and all the kings of the earth thy glory.

When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.

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

This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord .

For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth;

To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;(d)

To declare the name of the Lord in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;

When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord .

He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.(e)

I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.

Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.

They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:(f)

But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.

The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.

Footnotes

(a)102:1 of: or, for

(b)102:3 like…: or, (as some read) into smoke

(d)102:20 those…: Heb. the children of death

(e)102:23 weakened: Heb. afflicted

(f)102:26 endure: Heb. stand

The prayer of the afflicted

Hear my prayer, LORD! 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,

because of your indignation and your wrath; for you have taken me up and thrown me away.

My days are like a long shadow. I have withered like grass.

But you, LORD, will remain forever; your renown endures to all generations.

You will arise and have mercy on Zion, for it is time to have pity on her. Yes, the set time has come.

For your servants take pleasure in her stones, and have pity on her dust.

So the nations will fear the LORD’s name, all the kings of the earth your glory.

For the LORD has built up Zion. He has appeared in his glory.

He has responded to the prayer of the destitute, and has not despised their prayer.

This will be written for the generation to come. A people which will be created will praise the LORD,

for he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary. From heaven, the LORD saw the earth,

to hear the groans of the prisoner, to free those who are condemned to death,

that men may declare the LORD’s name in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem,

when the peoples are gathered together, the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.

He weakened my strength along the course. He shortened my days.

I said, “My God, don’t take me away in the middle of my days. Your years are throughout all generations.

Of old, you laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the work of your hands.

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.

But you are the same. Your years will have no end.

The children of your servants will continue. Their offspring will be established before you.”