Psalms, 102

A prayer of the afflicted in case he grows feeble and pours out his concern before Jehovah himself.

¹ O Jehovah, do hear my prayer; And to you may my own cry for help come.

² Do not conceal your face from me on the day that I am in sore straits. Incline to me your ear; On the day that I call, hurry, answer me.

³ For my days have come to an end just like smoke, And my very bones have been made red-hot just like a fireplace.

⁴ My heart has been struck just like vegetation and is dried up, For I have forgotten to eat my food.^*1

⁵ Because of the sound of my sighing My bones have stuck to my flesh.

⁶ I do resemble the pelican of the wilderness. I have become like a little owl of desolated places.

⁷ I have grown emaciated,^*1 And I am become like a bird isolated upon a roof.

⁸ All day long my enemies have reproached me. Those making a fool of me have sworn even by me.

⁹ For I have eaten ashes themselves just like bread; And the things I drink I have mingled even with weeping,

¹⁰ Because of your denunciation and your indignation; For you have lifted me up, that you might throw me away.

¹¹ My days are like a shadow that has declined,^*1 And I myself am dried up like mere vegetation.

¹² As for you, O Jehovah, to time indefinite you will dwell, And your memorial will be for generation after generation.

¹³ You yourself will arise, you will have mercy on Zion, For it is the season to be favorable to her, For the appointed time has come.

¹⁴ For your servants have found pleasure in her stones, And to her dust they direct their favor.

¹⁵ And the nations will fear the name of Jehovah,^*1 And all the kings of the earth your glory.

¹⁶ For Jehovah^*1 will certainly build up Zion; He must appear in his glory.

¹⁷ He will certainly turn to the prayer of those stripped [of everything], And not despise their prayer.

¹⁸ This is written for the future generation; And the people that is to be created will praise Jah.^*1

¹⁹ For he has looked down from his holy height, From the very heavens Jehovah^*1 himself has looked even at the earth,

²⁰ To hear the sighing of the prisoner, To loosen those appointed to death;^*1

²¹ For the name of Jehovah^*1 to be declared^*2 in Zion And his praise in Jerusalem,

²² When the peoples are collected all together, And the kingdoms to serve^*1 Jehovah.

²³ On the way he afflicted my power, He cut short my days.

²⁴ I proceeded to say: “O my God,^*1 Do not take me off at the half of my days; Your years are throughout all generations.^*2

²⁵ Long ago you laid the foundations of the earth itself, And the heavens are the work of your hands.

²⁶ They themselves will perish, but you yourself will keep standing;^*1 And just like a garment they will all of them wear out. Just like clothing you will replace them, and they will finish their turn.

²⁷ But you are the same,^*1 and your own years will not be completed.

²⁸ The sons of your servants will continue residing; And before you their own offspring will be firmly established.”