102:1 A Prayer of the afflicted, when he fainteth, and poureth out his complaint before the Lord.
102:2 O the Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come unto Thee.
102:3 Hide not Thy face from me in the day of my distress; incline Thine ear unto me; in the day when I call answer me speedily.
102:4 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as a hearth.
102:5 My heart is smitten like grass, and withered; for I forget to eat my bread.
102:6 By reason of the voice of my sighing my bones cleave to my flesh.
102:7 I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am become as an owl of the waste places.
102:8 I watch, and am become like a sparrow that is alone upon the housetop.
102:9 Mine enemies taunt me all the day; they that are mad against me do curse by me.
102:10 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,
102:11 Because of Thine indignation and Thy wrath; for Thou hast taken me up, and cast me away.
102:12 My days are like a lengthening shadow; and I am withered like grass.
102:13 But Thou, O the Lord, sittest enthroned for ever; and Thy name is unto all generations.
102:14 Thou wilt arise, and have compassion upon Zion; for it is time to be gracious unto her, for the appointed time is come.
102:15 For Thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and love her dust.
102:16 So the nations will fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth Thy glory;
102:17 When the Lord hath built up Zion, when He hath appeared in His glory;
102:18 When He hath regarded the prayer of the destitute, and hath not despised their prayer.
102:19 This shall be written for the generation to come; and a people which shall be created shall praise the Lord.
102:20 For He hath looked down from the height of His sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth;
102:21 To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;
102:22 That men may tell of the name of the Lord in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem;
102:23 When the peoples are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord.
102:24 He weakened my strength in the way; He shortened my days.
102:25 I say: 'O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days, Thou whose years endure throughout all generations.
102:26 Of old Thou didst lay the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the work of Thy hands.
102:27 They shall perish, but Thou shalt endure; yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt Thou change them, and they shall pass away;
102:28 But Thou art the selfsame, and Thy years shall have no end.
102:29 The children of Thy servants shall dwell securely, and their seed shall be established before Thee.'