Psalm 102

Affliction in Light of Eternity

A prayer of an afflicted person who is weak and pours out his lament before the Lord. n

1 Lord, hear my prayer;

let my cry for help come before You. o

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

Listen closely to me;

answer me quickly when I call. p

3 For my days vanish like smoke,

and my bones burn like a furnace. q

4 My heart is afflicted, withered like grass; r

I even forget to eat my food. s

5 Because of the sound of my groaning,

my flesh sticks to my bones. t

6 I am like a desert owl, u

like an owl among the ruins. v

7 I stay awake; w

I am like a solitary bird on a roof.

8 My enemies taunt me all day long;

they ridicule and curse me. x

9 I eat ashes like bread

and mingle my drinks with tears y

10 because of Your indignation and wrath;

for You have picked me up and thrown me aside. z

11 My days are like a lengthening shadow,

and I wither away like grass. a

12 But You, Lord, are enthroned forever; b

Your fame endures to all generations. c

13 You will rise up and have compassion on * Zion,

for it is time to show favor to her—

the appointed time has come. d

14 For Your servants take delight in its stones

and favor its dust. e

15 Then the nations will fear the name of * Yahweh,

and all the kings of the earth Your glory, f

16 for the Lord will rebuild Zion;

He will appear in His glory. g

17 He will pay attention to the prayer of the destitute

and will not despise their prayer. h

18 This will be written for a later generation,

and a newly created people will praise the Lord: i

19 He looked down from His holy heights—

the Lord gazed out from heaven to earth j—

20 to hear a prisoner’s groaning,

to set free those condemned to die, k l

21 so that they might declare

the name of Yahweh 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 o strength in midcourse;

He has shortened my days. p

24 I say: “My God, do not take me

in the middle of my life! q

Your years continue through all generations. r

25 Long ago You established the earth,

and the heavens are the work of Your hands. s

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. t

27 But You are the same,

and Your years will never end. u

28 Your servants’ children will dwell securely,

and their offspring will be established before You.” v