Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

v1

O Yahweh, hear my prayer, and let my cry for help come to you.

v2

Do not hide your face from me in the day of my trouble. Incline your ear to me. In the day I call, answer me quickly,

v3

for my days vanish in smoke, and my bones are charred like a hearth.

v4

My heart is struck like grass and withers. Indeed, I forget to eat ^[A rare homonym might yield “I am too wilted to eat”] my bread.

v5

Because of the sound of my groaning my bones ^[Hebrew “bone”] cling to my skin. ^[Hebrew “flesh”]

v6

I am like an owl ^[The identity of the birds in this verse is uncertain] of the wilderness; I am like a little owl of the ruins.

v7

I lie awake and I am like a lone bird on a roof.

v8

All the day my enemies reproach me; those who mock me swear oaths against me.

v9

Indeed, I eat ashes like bread and mix my drink with tears ^[Hebrew “weeping”]

v10

because of your indignation and anger, for you have picked me up and thrown me away.

v11

My days are like a lengthened shadow, and I wither like grass.

v12

But you, O Yahweh, abide ^[Or “sit enthroned”] forever, and your remembrance ^[Or “name”] from generation to generation. ^[Literally “to a generation and a generation”]

v13

You rise up and take pity on Zion, because it is time to favor it, for the appointed time has come.

v14

Your servants take pleasure in her stones, and show favor to its dust.

v15

Then the nations will fear the name of Yahweh, and all the kings of the earth your glory.

v16

For Yahweh will rebuild Zion; he will appear in his glory.

v17

He will turn his attention to the prayer of the destitute and will not despise their prayer.

v18

Let this be written for the next generation, so that a people yet to be created may praise Yah, ^[A shortened form of “Yahweh”]

v19

that he looked down from his holy height. Yahweh looked from heaven over the earth

v20

to hear the groaning of the prisoner, to liberate those destined to die, ^[Hebrew “the sons of death”]

v21

so that they ^[That is, the generation that reads what is written] may make known in Zion the name of Yahweh, and his praise in Jerusalem,

v22

when the peoples assemble, together with ^[Hebrew “and”] kingdoms, to serve Yahweh.

v23

He has broken my strength along the way; he has cut short my days.

v24

I say, “My God, do not carry me off from my life in the middle of my days.” Your years continue throughout all generations.

v25

Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

v26

They will perish, but you will endure. And like a garment they will all wear out, you will replace them like clothing, and they will be set aside.

v27

But you are the same, and your years do not end.

v28

The children of your servants will continue, and their descendants ^[Literally “seed”] will be established before you.