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, Yahweh, 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 revere Yahweh’s name,
all
the kings of the earth your glory.
For
Yahweh 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 Yah.
For
he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary.
From
heaven, Yahweh saw the earth;
to
hear the groans of the prisoner;
to
free those who are condemned to death;
that
men may declare Yahweh’s name in Zion,
and
his praise in Jerusalem;
when
the peoples are gathered together,
the
kingdoms, to serve Yahweh.
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.”
Psalm
102
Image: Earthrise