Psalm 102

Affliction in Light of Eternity

A prayer of a suffering person who is weak and pours out his lament before the LORD. p

1   LORD, hear my prayer;

let my cry for help come before you. q

2   Do not hide your face from me in my day of trouble.

Listen closely to me;

answer me quickly when I call. r

3   For my days vanish like smoke,

and my bones burn like a furnace. s

4   My heart is suffering, withered like grass; t

I even forget to eat my food. u

5   Because of the sound of my groaning,

my flesh sticks to my bones. v

6   I am like an eagle owl,

like a little owl among the ruins. w

7   I stay awake; x

I am like a solitary bird on a roof.

8   My enemies taunt me all day long;

they ridicule and use my name as a curse. y

9   I eat ashes like bread

and mingle my drinks with tears z

10   because of your indignation and wrath;

for you have picked me up and thrown me aside. a

11   My days are like a lengthening shadow,

and I wither away like grass. b

12   But you, LORD, are enthroned forever; c

your fame endures to all generations. d

13   You will rise up and have compassion on Zion,

for it is time to show favor to her—

the appointed time has come. e

14   For your servants take delight in its stones

and favor its dust. f

15   Then the nations will fear the name of the LORD,

and all the kings of the earth your glory, g

16   for the LORD will rebuild Zion;

he will appear in his glory. h

17   He will pay attention to the prayer of the destitute

and will not despise their prayer. i

18   This will be written for a later generation,

and a people who have not yet been created will praise the LORD: j

19   He looked down from his holy heights—

the LORD gazed out from heaven to earth k—

20   to hear a prisoner’s groaning,

to set free those condemned to die, G,l

21   so that they might declare

the name of the LORD in Zion

and his praise in Jerusalem, m

22   when peoples and kingdoms are assembled

to serve the LORD. n

23   He has broken my H strength in midcourse;

he has shortened my days. o

24   I say: “My God, do not take me

in the middle of my life! I

Your years continue through all generations. p

25   Long ago you established the earth,

and the heavens are the work of your hands. q

26   They will perish, but you will endure;

all of them will wear out like clothing.

You will change them like a garment,

and they will pass away. r

27   But you are the same,

and your years will never end. s

28   Your servants’ children will dwell securely,

and their offspring will be established before you.” t