Psalms 102

Affliction in light of Eternity

A prayer of a suffering person who is weak and pours out his lament before the Lord. # 102:title Ps 142:2

1 Lord, hear my prayer;

let my cry for help come before you.  * 102:1 Ps 18:6; 39:12; 61:1

2 Do not hide your face from me in my day of trouble.

Listen closely to me;

answer me quickly when I call.  * 102:2 Ps 27:9; 31:2; 69:17

3 For my days vanish like smoke,

and my bones burn like a furnace.  * 102:3 Jb 30:30; Ps 31:10; Lm 1:13

4 My heart is suffering, withered like grass;  * 102:4 Ps 37:2

I even forget to eat my food.  * 102:4 Ezr 10:6; Jb 33:20

5 Because of the sound of my groaning,

my flesh sticks to my bones.  * 102:5 Jb 19:20; Lm 4:8

6 I am like an eagle owl,

like a little owl among the ruins.  * 102:6 Is 34:11; Zph 2:14

7 I stay awake;  * 102:7 Ps 77:4

I am like a solitary bird on a roof.

8 My enemies taunt me all day long;

they ridicule and use my name as a curse.  * 102:8 Ps 31:11; 69:19

9 I eat ashes like bread

and mingle my drinks with tears  * 102:9 Ps 42:3; 80:5

10 because of your indignation and wrath;

for you have picked me up and thrown me aside.  * 102:10 Jb 30:22

11 My days are like a lengthening shadow,

and I wither away like grass.  * 102:11 Jb 8:9; Ps 109:23

12 But you, Lord, are enthroned forever;  * 102:12 Ps 9:7; Lm 5:19

your fame endures to all generations.  * 102:12 Ps 135:13

13 You will rise up and have compassion on Zion,

for it is time to show favor to her —

the appointed time has come.  * 102:13 Is 60:10; Zch 1:12

14 For your servants take delight in its stones

and favor its dust.  * 102:14 Neh 4:2; Lm 4:1

15 Then the nations will fear the name of the  Lord,

and all the kings of the earth your glory,  * 102:15 Ps 138:4; Is 60:3

16 for the Lord will rebuild Zion;

he will appear in his glory.  * 102:16 Ps 147:2; Is 60:1–2

17 He will pay attention to the prayer of the destitute

and will not despise their prayer.  * 102:17 Ps 22:24

18 This will be written for a later generation,

and a people who have not yet been created will praise the  Lord:  * 102:18 Dt 31:19; Ps 22:30–31; 78:6

19 He looked down from his holy heights —

the Lord gazed out from heaven to earth  * 102:19 Ps 14:2; 33:13; 53:2  —

20 to hear a prisoner’s groaning,

to set free those condemned to die,  * 102:20 Lit free sons of death,* 102:20 Ps 79:11

21 so that they might declare

the name of the  Lord in Zion

and his praise in Jerusalem  * 102:21 Ps 22:22

22 when peoples and kingdoms are assembled

to serve the  Lord.  * 102:22 Ps 22:27; 86:9; Zch 8:20–23

23 He has broken my  * 102:23 Some Hb mss, LXX read his  strength in midcourse;

he has shortened my days.  * 102:23 Ps 39:5; 89:45

24 I say, "My God, do not take me

in the middle of my life!  * 102:24 Lit my days

Your years continue through all generations.  * 102:24 Jb 36:26; Ps 90:2

25 Long ago you established the earth,

and the heavens are the work of your hands.  * 102:25 Neh 9:6; Ps 96:5; Heb 1:10–12

26 They will perish, but you will endure;

all of them will wear out like clothing.

You will change them like a garment,

and they will pass away.  * 102:26 Is 34:4; 51:6; Mt 24:35

27 But you are the same,

and your years will never end.  * 102:27 Mal 3:6; Jms 1:17

28 Your servants’ children will dwell securely,

and their offspring will be established before you."  * 102:28 Ps 37:25; 69:36; 89:4; 112:2