Psalm - The Old Testament

¹ [Prayer of someone afflicted, who in misfortune pours out sorrows before Yahweh] Yahweh, hear my prayer, let my cry for help reach you.

² Do not turn away your face from me when I am in trouble; bend down and listen to me, when I call, be quick to answer me!

³ For my days are vanishing like smoke, my bones burning like an oven;

⁴ like grass struck by blight, my heart is withering, I forget to eat my meals.

⁵ From the effort of voicing my groans my bones stick out through my skin.

⁶ I am like a desert-owl in the wastes, a screech-owl among ruins,

⁷ I keep vigil and moan like a lone bird on a roof.

⁸ All day long my enemies taunt me, those who once praised me now use me as a curse.

⁹ Ashes are the food that I eat, my drink is mingled with tears,

¹⁰ because of your fury and anger, since you have raised me up only to cast me away;

¹¹ my days are like a fading shadow, I am withering up like grass.

¹² But you, Yahweh, are enthroned for ever, each generation in turn remembers you.

¹³ Rise up, take pity on Zion! the time has come to have mercy on her, the moment has come;

¹⁴ for your servants love her very stones, are moved to pity by her dust.

¹⁵ Then will the nations revere the name of Yahweh, and all the kings of the earth your glory;

¹⁶ when Yahweh builds Zion anew, he will be seen in his glory;

¹⁷ he will turn to hear the prayer of the destitute, and will not treat their prayer with scorn.

¹⁸ This shall be put on record for a future generation, and a people yet to be born shall praise God:

¹⁹ Yahweh has leaned down from the heights of his sanctuary, has looked down from heaven to earth,

²⁰ to listen to the sighing of the captive, and set free those condemned to death,

²¹ to proclaim the name of Yahweh in Zion, his praise in Jerusalem;

²² nations will gather together, and kingdoms to worship Yahweh.

²³ In my journeying my strength has failed on the way;

²⁴ let me know the short time I have left. Do not take me away before half my days are done, for your years run on from age to age.

²⁵ Long ago you laid earth's foundations, the heavens are the work of your hands.

²⁶ They pass away but you remain; they all wear out like a garment, like outworn clothes you change them;

²⁷ but you never alter, and your years never end.

²⁸ The children of those who serve you will dwell secure, and their descendants live on in your presence.