A Prayer of the afflicted
, when he is overwhelmed
, and poureth out
his complaint
before
the LORD
. Hear
my prayer
, O LORD
, and let my cry
come
unto thee.
Hide not thy face
from me in the day
when I am in trouble
; incline
thine ear
unto me: in the day
when I call
answer
me speedily
.
For my days are consumed
like smoke
, and my bones
are burned
as an hearth
.
My heart is smitten
, and withered
like grass
; so that I forget
to eat
my bread
.
By reason of the voice of my groaning
my bones
cleave
to my skin
.
I am like a pelican
of the wilderness
: I am like an owl
of the desert
.
I watch, and am as a sparrow
alone
upon the house top
.
Mine enemies reproach
me all the day
; and they that are mad
against me are sworn
against me.
For I have eaten ashes
like bread
, and mingled
my drink
with weeping
,
Because of thine indignation
and thy wrath
: for thou hast lifted me up
, and cast me down
.
My days are like a shadow
that declineth
; and I am withered
like grass
.
But thou, O LORD, shalt endure
for ever
; and thy remembrance
unto all
generations
.
Thou shalt arise, and have mercy
upon Zion
: for the time
to favour
her, yea, the set time
, is come
.
For thy servants take pleasure
in her stones
, and favour
the dust
thereof.
So the heathen shall fear
the name
of the LORD
, and all the kings
of the earth
thy glory
.
When the LORD shall build up
Zion
, he shall appear
in his glory
.
He will regard the prayer
of the destitute
, and not despise
their prayer
.
This shall be written for the generation
to come
: and the people
which shall be created
shall praise
the LORD
.
For he hath looked down from the height
of his sanctuary
; from heaven
did the LORD
behold
the earth
;
To hear the groaning
of the prisoner
; to loose
those that are appointed
to death
;
To declare the name
of the LORD
in Zion
, and his praise
in Jerusalem
;
When the people are gathered
together
, and the kingdoms
, to serve
the LORD
.
He weakened my strength
in the way
; he shortened
my days
.
I said, O my God
, take me not away
in the midst
of my days
: thy years
are throughout all
generations
.
Of old hast thou laid the foundation
of the earth
: and the heavens
are the work
of thy hands
.
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 be changed
:
But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end
.
The children of thy servants
shall continue
, and their seed
shall be established
before
thee.