1 A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and pours out his complaint before Yahweh. Hear my prayer, O Yahweh, And let my cry come to you.

2 Don't hide your face from me in the day of my distress: Incline your ear to me; In the day when I call answer me speedily.

3 For my days consume away in smoke, And my bones are burned as a firebrand.

4 My heart is struck like grass, and withered; For I forget to eat my bread.

5 By reason of the voice of my groaning My bones stick to my flesh.

6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I have become as an owl of the waste places.

7 I watch, and have become like a sparrow That is alone on the housetop.

8 My enemies reproach me all the day; Those who are insane against me curse by me.

9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, And mingled my drink with weeping,

10 Because of your indignation and your wrath: For you have taken me up, and cast me away.

11 My days are like a shadow that declines; And I am withered like grass.

12 But you, O Yahweh, will remain forever; And your memorial [name] to all generations.

13 You will arise, and have mercy on Zion; For it is time to have pity on her, Yes, the set time has come.

14 For your slaves take pleasure in her stones, And have pity on her dust.

15 So the nations will fear the name of Yahweh, And all the kings of the earth your glory.

16 For Yahweh has built up Zion; He has appeared in his glory.

17 He has regarded the prayer of the destitute, And has not despised their prayer.

18 This will be written for the generation to come; And a people which will be created will praise Yah.

19 For he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary; From heaven Yahweh looked at the earth;

20 To hear the sighing of the prisoner; To loose those who are appointed to death;

21 That men may declare the name of Yahweh in Zion, And his praise in Jerusalem;

22 When the peoples are gathered together, And the kingdoms, to serve Yahweh.

23 He weakened my strength in the way; He shortened my days.

24 I said, O my God, don't take me away in the midst of my days: Your years are throughout all generations.

25 Of old did you lay the foundation of the earth; And the heavens are the work of your hands.

26 They will perish, but you will endure; Yes, all of them will wax old like a garment; As a vesture you will change them, and they will be changed:

27 But you are the same, And your years will have no end.

28 The sons of your slaves will stay, And their seed will be established before you.