^1. Psalm 102 A prayer of an afflicted man. When he is faint and pours out his lament before the LORD.

^1. Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come to you.

^2. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly.

^3. For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers.

^4. My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food.

^5. Because of my loud groaning I am reduced to skin and bones.

^6. I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins.

^7. I lie awake; I have become like a bird alone on a roof.

^8. All day long my enemies taunt me; those who rail against me use my name as a curse.

^9. For I eat ashes as my food and mingle my drink with tears

^10. because of your great wrath, for you have taken me up and thrown me aside.

^11. My days are like the evening shadow; I wither away like grass.

^12. But you, O LORD, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations.

^13. You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come.

^14. For her stones are dear to your servants; her very dust moves them to pity.

^15. The nations will fear the name of the LORD, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.

^16. For the LORD will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory.

^17. He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea.

^18. Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD:

^19. "The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth,

^20. to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death."

^21. So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem

^22. when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the LORD.

^23. In the course of my life [1] he broke my strength; he cut short my days.

^24. So I said: "Do not take me away, O my God, in the midst of my days; your years go on through all generations.

^25. In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

^26. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded.

^27. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

^28. The children of your servants will live in your presence; their descendants will be established before you."