102:1 [A Prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the LORD.] Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry come to you! 102:2 Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress! Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call! 102:3 For my days pass away like smoke, and my bones burn like a furnace. 102:4 My heart is struck down like grass and has withered; I forget to eat my bread. 102:5 Because of my loud groaning my bones cling to my flesh. 102:6 I am like a desert owl of the wilderness, like an owl of the waste places; 102:7 I lie awake; I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop. 102:8 All the day my enemies taunt me; those who deride me use my name for a curse. 102:9 For I eat ashes like bread and mingle tears with my drink, 102:10 because of your indignation and anger; for you have taken me up and thrown me down. 102:11 My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass. 102:12 But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever; you are remembered throughout all generations. 102:13 You will arise and have pity on Zion; it is the time to favor her; the appointed time has come. 102:14 For your servants hold her stones dear and have pity on her dust. 102:15 Nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory. 102:16 For the LORD builds up Zion; he appears in his glory; 102:17 he regards the prayer of the destitute and does not despise their prayer. 102:18 Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD: 102:19 that he looked down from his holy height; from heaven the LORD looked at the earth, 102:20 to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die, 102:21 that they may declare in Zion the name of the LORD, and in Jerusalem his praise, 102:22 when peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to worship the LORD. 102:23 He has broken my strength in midcourse; he has shortened my days. 102:24 "O my God," I say, "take me not away in the midst of my days-- you whose years endure throughout all generations!" 102:25 Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 102:26 They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, 102:27 but you are the same, and your years have no end. 102:28 The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you.