A Prayer
of the afflicted,
when he is overwhelmed,
and poureth out
his complaint
before
the LORD.
Hear
my prayer,
O LORD,
and let my cry
come
unto thee.
Hide
not thy face
from me in the day
when I am in trouble;
incline
thine ear
unto me: in the day
when I call
answer
me speedily.
For my days
are consumed
like smoke,
and my bones
are burned
as an 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.
Mine 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 thine indignation
and thy wrath:
for thou hast lifted me up,
and cast me down.
My days
are like a shadow
that declineth;
and I am withered
like grass.
But thou, O LORD,
shalt endure
for ever;
and thy remembrance
unto all
generations.
Thou shalt arise,
and have mercy
upon Zion:
for the time
to favour
her, yea, the set time,
is come.
For thy servants
take pleasure
in her stones,
and favour
the dust
thereof.
So the heathen
shall fear
the name
of the LORD,
and all the kings
of the earth
thy glory.
When the LORD
shall build up
Zion,
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
which shall be created
shall praise
the LORD.
For he hath 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 Zion,
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:
thy years
are throughout all
generations.
Of old
hast thou laid the foundation
of the earth:
and the heavens
are the work
of thy hands.
They shall perish,
but thou shalt endure:
yea, all of them shall wax old
like a garment;
as a vesture
shalt thou change
them, and they shall be changed:
But thou art the same, and thy years
shall have no end.
The children
of thy servants
shall continue,
and their seed
shall be established
before
thee.
