Psalm 10214

The prayer of an oppressed man, as he grows faint and pours out his lament before the Lord.

102:1 O Lord, hear my prayer!

Pay attention to my cry for help!1

102:2 Do not ignore me in my time of trouble!2

Listen to me!3

When I call out to you, quickly answer me!

102:3 For my days go up in smoke,4

and my bones are charred like a fireplace.5

102:4 My heart is parched6 and withered like grass,

for I am unable7 to eat food.8

102:5 Because of the anxiety that makes me groan,

my bones protrude from my skin.9

102:6 I am like an owl10 in the wilderness;

I am like a screech owl11 among the ruins.12

102:7 I stay awake;13

I am like a solitary bird on a roof.

102:8 All day long my enemies taunt me;

those who mock me use my name in their curses.14

102:9 For I eat ashes as if they were bread,15

and mix my drink with my tears,16

102:10 because of your anger and raging fury.

Indeed,17 you pick me up and throw me away.

102:11 My days are coming to an end,18

and I am withered like grass.

102:12 But you, O Lord, rule forever,19

and your reputation endures.20

102:13 You will rise up and have compassion on Zion.21

For it is time to have mercy on her,

for the appointed time has come.

102:14 Indeed,22 your servants take delight in her stones,

and feel compassion for23 the dust of her ruins.24

102:15 The nations will respect the reputation of the Lord,25

and all the kings of the earth will respect26 his splendor,

102:16 when the Lord rebuilds Zion,

and reveals his splendor,

102:17 when he responds to the prayer of the destitute,27

and does not reject28 their request.29

102:18 The account of his intervention30 will be recorded for future generations;

people yet to be born will praise the Lord.

102:19 For he will look down from his sanctuary above;31

from heaven the Lord will look toward earth,32

102:20 in order to hear the painful cries of the prisoners,

and to set free those condemned to die,33

102:21 so they may proclaim the name of the Lord in Zion,

and praise him34 in Jerusalem,35

102:22 when the nations gather together,

and the kingdoms pay tribute to the Lord.36

102:23 He has taken away my strength in the middle of life;37

he has cut short my days.

102:24 I say, “O my God, please do not take me away in the middle of my life!38

You endure through all generations.39

102:25 In earlier times you established the earth;

the skies are your handiwork.

102:26 They will perish,

but you will endure.40

They will wear out like a garment;

like clothes you will remove them and they will disappear.41

102:27 But you remain;42

your years do not come to an end.

102:28 The children of your servants will settle down here,

and their descendants43 will live securely in your presence.”44