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