Psalms
Summary
A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and pours out his complaint before the LORD. A deep and personal lament from one whose days are like a lengthening shadow and who feels like a pelican in the wilderness, yet finds hope in God's eternal nature and His promise to build up Zion and regard the prayer of the destitute.
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come to you.
Hide not your face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline your ear to me; in the day when I call answer me speedily.
For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as a 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.
My 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 your indignation and your wrath; for you have lifted me up, and cast me down.
My days are like a shadow that declines; and I am withered like grass.
But you, O LORD, shall endure for ever; and your remembrance to all generations.
You shall arise, and have mercy upon Sion; for the time to favour her, yes, the set time, is come.
For your servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.
So the nations shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth your glory.
When the LORD shall build up Sion, 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 who shall be created shall praise the LORD.
For he has 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 Sion, 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; your years are throughout all generations.
Of old have you laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the work of your hands.
They shall perish, but you shall endure; yes, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shall you change them, and they shall be changed:
But you are the same, and your years shall have no end.
The children of your servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before you.