Study Desk

A prayer of an afflicted person who is weak and pours out his lament before the Lord .^(a)

Lord , hear my prayer; let my cry for help come before You.^(b)

Do not hide Your face from me in my day of trouble. Listen closely to me; answer me quickly when I call.^(c)

For my days vanish like smoke, and my bones burn like a furnace.^(d)

My heart is afflicted, withered like grass;^(e) I even forget to eat my food.^(f)

Because of the sound of my groaning, my flesh sticks to my bones.^(g)

I am like a desert owl,^[a] like an owl among the ruins.^(h)

I stay awake;⁽ⁱ⁾ I am like a solitary bird on a roof.

My enemies taunt me all day long; they ridicule and curse me.^(j)

I eat ashes like bread and mingle my drinks with tears^(k)

because of Your indignation and wrath; for You have picked me up and thrown me aside.^(l)

My days are like a lengthening shadow, and I wither away like grass.^(m)

But You, Lord , are enthroned forever;⁽ⁿ⁾ Your fame endures to all generations.^(o)

You will rise up and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her— the appointed time has come.^(p)

For Your servants take delight in its stones and favor its dust.^(q)

Then the nations will fear the name of Yahweh, and all the kings of the earth Your glory,^(r)

for the Lord will rebuild Zion; He will appear in His glory.^(s)

He will pay attention to the prayer of the destitute and will not despise their prayer.^(t)

This will be written for a later generation, and a newly created people will praise the Lord :^(u)

He looked down from His holy heights— the Lord gazed out from heaven to earth^(v)—

to hear a prisoner's groaning, to set free those condemned to die,^[b](w)

so that they might declare the name of Yahweh in Zion and His praise in Jerusalem,^(x)

when peoples and kingdoms are assembled to serve the Lord .^(y)

He has broken my^[c] strength in midcourse; He has shortened my days.^(z)

I say: "My God, do not take me in the middle of my life!^[d] Your years continue through all generations.^(aa)

Long ago You established the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.^(ab)

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.^(ac)

But You are the same, and Your years will never end.^(ad)

Your servants' children will dwell securely, and their offspring will be established before You."^(ae)