Psalm 102

Psalm 102

A prayer of one overwhelmed with trouble, pouring out problems before the LORD.

1 LORD, hear my prayer!
Listen to my plea!2 Don’t turn away from me
in my time of distress.
Bend down to listen,
and answer me quickly when I call to you.3 For my days disappear like smoke,
and my bones burn like red-hot coals.4 My heart is sick, withered like grass,
and I have lost my appetite.5 Because of my groaning,
I am reduced to skin and bones.6 I am like an owl in the desert,
like a little owl in a far-off wilderness.7 I lie awake,
lonely as a solitary bird on the roof.8 My enemies taunt me day after day.
They mock and curse me.9 I eat ashes for food.
My tears run down into my drink10 because of your anger and wrath.
For you have picked me up and thrown me out.11 My life passes as swiftly as the evening shadows.
I am withering away like grass.12 But you, O LORD, will sit on your throne forever.
Your fame will endure to every generation.13 You will arise and have mercy on Jerusalemt—
and now is the time to pity her,
now is the time you promised to help.14 For your people love every stone in her walls
and cherish even the dust in her streets.15 Then the nations will tremble before the LORD.
The kings of the earth will tremble before his glory.16 For the LORD will rebuild Jerusalem.
He will appear in his glory.17 He will listen to the prayers of the destitute.
He will not reject their pleas.18 Let this be recorded for future generations,
so that a people not yet born will praise the LORD.19 Tell them the LORD looked down
from his heavenly sanctuary.
He looked down to earth from heaven20 to hear the groans of the prisoners,
to release those condemned to die.21 And so the LORD’s fame will be celebrated in Zion,
his praises in Jerusalem,22 when multitudes gather together
and kingdoms come to worship the LORD.23 He broke my strength in midlife,
cutting short my days.24 But I cried to him, “O my God, who lives forever,
don’t take my life while I am so young!25 Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth
and made the heavens with your hands.26 They will perish, but you remain forever;
they will wear out like old clothing.
You will change them like a garment
and discard them.27 But you are always the same;
you will live forever.28 The children of your people
will live in security.
Their children’s children
will thrive in your presence.”

PSALMS 102

A Prayer in Time //of Trouble

1 I pray to you, [Lord]!
Please listen.

2 Don't hide from me
in my time of trouble.
Pay attention to my prayer
and quickly give an answer.

3 My days disappear like smoke,
and my bones are burning
as though in a furnace.

4 I am wasting away like grass,
and my appetite is gone.

5 My groaning never stops,
and my bones can be seen
through my skin.

6 I am like a lonely owl
in the desert

7 or a restless sparrow
alone on a roof.

8 My enemies insult me all day,
and they use my name
for a curse word.

9 Instead of food,
I have ashes to eat
and tears to drink,

10 because you are furious
and have thrown me aside.

11 My life fades like a shadow
at the end of day
and withers like grass.

12 Our [Lord], you are King forever
and will always be famous.

13 You will show pity to Zion
because the time has come.

14 We, your servants,
love each stone in the city,
and we are sad to see them
lying in the dirt.

15 Our [Lord], the nations
will honor you,
and all kings on earth
will praise your glory.

16 You will rebuild
the city of Zion.
Your glory will be seen,

17 and the prayers of the homeless
will be answered.

18 Future generations must also
praise the [Lord],
so write this for them:

19 “From his holy temple,
the [Lord] looked down
at the earth.

20 He listened to the groans
of prisoners,
and he rescued everyone
who was doomed to die.”

21 All Jerusalem should praise
you, our [Lord],

22 when people from every nation
meet to worship you.

23 I should still be strong,
but you, [Lord], have made
an old person of me.

24 You will live forever!
Years mean nothing to you.
Don't cut my life in half!

25  t In the beginning, [Lord],
you laid the earth's foundation
and created the heavens.

26 They will all disappear
and wear out like clothes.
You change them,
as you would a coat,
but you last forever.

27 You are always the same.
You are God for all time.

28 Every generation of those
who serve you
will live in your presence.