1A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and pours out his complaint before Yehovah. Hear my prayer, O Yehovah, And let my cry come to you.
2Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress: Incline your ear to me; In the day when I call answer me speedily.
3For my days consume away like smoke, And my bones are burned as a firebrand.
4My heart is struck like grass, and withered; For I forget to eat my bread.
5By reason of the voice of my groaning My bones cleave to my flesh.
6I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I have become as an owl of the waste places.
7I watch, and have become like a sparrow That is alone upon the housetop.
8My enemies reproach me all the day; Those who are mad against me curse by me.
9For I have eaten ashes like bread, And mingled my drink with weeping,
10Because of your indignation and your wrath: For you have taken me up, and cast me away.
11My days are like a shadow that declines; And I am withered like grass.
12But you, O Yehovah, will abide forever; And your memorial name to all generations.
13You will arise, and have mercy upon Zion; For it is time to have pity upon her, Yes, the set time has come.
14For your servants take pleasure in her stones, And have pity upon her dust.
15So the nations shall fear the name of Yehovah, And all the kings of the earth your glory.
16For Yehovah has built up Zion; He has appeared in his glory.
17He has regarded the prayer of the destitute, And has not despised their prayer.
18This shall be written for the generation to come; And a people which shall be created shall praise Yehovah.
19For he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary; From heaven Yehovah beheld the earth;
20To hear the sighing of the prisoner; To loose those who are appointed to death;
21That men may declare the name of Yehovah in Zion, And his praise in Jerusalem;
22When the peoples are gathered together, And the kingdoms, to serve Yehovah.
23He weakened my strength in the way; He shortened my days.
24I said, O my God, do not take me away in the midst of my days: Your years are throughout all generations.
25Of old you laid the foundation of the earth; And the heavens are the work of your hands.
26They shall perish, but you shall endure; Yes, all of them shall grow old like a garment; As a robe you shall change them, and they shall be changed:
27But you are the same, And your years shall have no end.
28The children of your servants shall continue, And their seed shall be established before you.