Psalms 102
The psalmist cries out to God in distress, feeling his life slipping away and his body weakened, and asks God not to turn away from him. He laments his isolation and suffering, and notes that his enemies reproach him, but he trusts that God will ultimately rise up and take pity on Zion. The psalmist expresses confidence that God will hear the prayers of the humble and will be seen in his glory, and he asks that his own life be considered in light of God's eternal nature.
The prayer of the pauper, when he was anxious, and so he poured out his petition in the sight of the Lord. O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my outcry reach youDo not turn your face away from me. In whatever day that I am in trouble, incline your ear to me. In whatever day that I will call upon you, heed me quicklyFor my days have faded away like smoke, and my bones have dried out like firewoodI have been cut down like hay, and my heart has withered, for I had forgotten to eat my breadBefore the voice of my groaning, my bone has adhered to my fleshI have become like a pelican in solitude. I have become like a night raven in a houseI have kept vigil, and I have become like a solitary sparrow on a roofAll day long my enemies reproached me, and those who praised me swore oaths against meFor I chewed on ashes like bread, and I mixed weeping into my drinkBy the face of your anger and indignation, you lifted me up and threw me downMy days have declined like a shadow, and I have dried out like hayBut you, O Lord, endure for eternity, and your memorial is from generation to generationYou will rise up and take pity on Zion, for it is time for its mercy, for the time has comeFor its stones have pleased your servants, and they will take pity on its landAnd the Gentiles will fear your name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth your gloryFor the Lord has built up Zion, and he will be seen in his gloryHe has noticed the prayer of the humble, and he has not despised their petitionLet these things be written in another generation, and the people who will be created will praise the LordFor he has gazed from his high sanctuary. From heaven, the Lord has beheld the earthSo may he hear the groans of those in shackles, in order that he may release the sons of the slainSo may they announce the name of the Lord in Zion and his praise in Jerusalemwhile the people convene, along with kings, in order that they may serve the LordHe responded to him in the way of his virtue: Declare to me the brevity of my daysDo not call me back in the middle of my days: your years are from generation to generationIn the beginning, O Lord, you founded the earth. And the heavens are the work of your handsThey will perish, but you remain. And all will grow old like a garment. And, like a blanket, you will change them, and they will be changedYet you are ever yourself, and your years will not declineThe sons of your servants will live, and their offspring will be guided aright in every age
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