Psalms

1A Prayer of the afflicted when he is feeble, and before Jehovah poureth out his plaint. O Jehovah, hear my prayer, yea, my cry to Thee cometh.

2Hide not Thou Thy face from me, In a day of mine adversity, Incline unto me Thine ear, In the day I call, haste, answer me.

3For consumed in smoke have been my days, And my bones as a fire-brand have burned.

4Smitten as the herb, and withered, is my heart, For I have forgotten to eat my bread.

5From the voice of my sighing Hath my bone cleaved to my flesh.

6I have been like to a pelican of the wilderness, I have been as an owl of the dry places.

7I have watched, and I am As a bird alone on the roof.

8All the day mine enemies reproached me, Those mad at me have sworn against me.

9Because ashes as bread I have eaten, And my drink with weeping have mingled,

10From Thine indignation and Thy wrath, For Thou hast lifted me up, And dost cast me down.

11My days as a shadow [are] stretched out, And I — as the herb I am withered.

12And Thou, O Jehovah, to the age abidest, And Thy memorial to all generations.

13Thou — Thou risest — Thou pitiest Zion, For the time to favour her, For the appointed time hath come.

14For Thy servants have been pleased with her stones, And her dust they favour.

15And nations fear the name of Jehovah, And all kings of the earth Thine honour,

16For Jehovah hath builded Zion, He hath been seen in His honour,

17He turned unto the prayer of the destitute, And He hath not despised their prayer.

18This is written for a later generation, And the people created do praise Jah.

19For He hath looked From the high place of His sanctuary. Jehovah from heaven unto earth looked attentively,

20To hear the groan of the prisoner, To loose sons of death,

21To declare in Zion the name of Jehovah, And His praise in Jerusalem,

22In the peoples being gathered together, And the kingdoms — to serve Jehovah.

23He hath humbled in the way my power, He hath shortened my days.

24I say, 'My God, take me not up in the midst of my days,' Through all generations [are] Thine years.

25Beforetime the earth Thou didst found, And the work of Thy hands [are] the heavens.

26They — They perish, and Thou remainest, And all of them as a garment become old, As clothing Thou changest them, And they are changed.

27And Thou [art] the same, and Thine years are not finished.

28The sons of Thy servants do continue, And their seed before Thee is established!

A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before the LORD.

1Hear my prayer, LORD!Let my cry come to you.

2Don’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.

3For my days consume away like smoke.My bones are burnt as a torch.

4My heart is blighted like grass, and withered,for I forget to eat my bread.

5By reason of the voice of my groaning,my bones stick to my skin.

6I am like a pelican of the wilderness.I have become as an owl of the waste places.

7I watch, and have become like a sparrow that is alone on the housetop.

8My enemies reproach me all day.Those who are mad at me use my name as a curse.

9For I have eaten ashes like bread,and mixed my drink with tears,

10because of your indignation and your wrath; for you have taken me up and thrown me away.

11My days are like a long shadow.I have withered like grass.

12But you, LORD, will remain forever;your renown endures to all generations.

13You will arise and have mercy on Zion,for it is time to have pity on her. Yes, the set time has come.

14For your servants take pleasure in her stones,and have pity on her dust.

15So the nations will fear the LORD’s name,all the kings of the earth your glory.

16For the LORD has built up Zion.He has appeared in his glory.

17He has responded to the prayer of the destitute,and has not despised their prayer.

18This will be written for the generation to come.A people which will be created will praise the LORD,

19for he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary.From heaven, the LORD saw the earth,

20to hear the groans of the prisoner,to free those who are condemned to death,

21that men may declare the LORD’s name in Zion,and his praise in Jerusalem,

22when the peoples are gathered together,the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.

23He weakened my strength along the course.He shortened my days.

24I said, “My God, don’t take me away in the middle of my days.Your years are throughout all generations.

25Of old, you laid the foundation of the earth.The heavens are the work of your hands.

26They 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.

27But you are the same.Your years will have no end.

28The children of your servants will continue.Their offspring will be established before you.”