0A prayer of an afflicted one, when he grows faint and pours out his complaint before Yahweh.
1Yahweh, hear my prayer, and let my cry for help come to you.
2Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress; incline your ear to me; in the day I call out, answer me quickly.
3For my days vanish like smoke, and my bones burn like a hearth.
4My heart is struck down like grass and withered, for I have forgotten to eat my bread.
5From the sound of my groaning my bones cling to my flesh.
6I resemble a desert owl; I have become like an owl of the ruins.
7I lie awake, and I have become like a lone bird upon a roof.
8All the day my enemies taunt me; those who deride me use my name as a curse.
9For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,
10because of your indignation and your wrath, for you lifted me up and cast me away.
11My days are like a lengthening shadow, and I myself wither like grass.
12But you, Yahweh, are enthroned forever, and your remembrance endures to every generation.
13You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show her favor, for the appointed time has come.
14For your servants take pleasure in her stones and show favor to her dust.
15Then the nations will fear the name of Yahweh, and all the kings of the earth your glory,
16for Yahweh has built Zion; he has appeared in his glory.
17He has turned to the prayer of the destitute and has not despised their prayer.
18Let this be written for a later generation, and a people yet to be created will praise Yah.
19For he looked down from his holy height; from heaven Yahweh gazed upon the earth,
20to hear the groaning of the prisoner, to set free the sons of death,
21that they may recount in Zion the name of Yahweh, and his praise in Jerusalem,
22when peoples are gathered together, and kingdoms, to serve Yahweh.
23He has broken my strength on the way; he has cut short my days.
24I say, ‘My God, do not take me up in the midst of my days—your years are through generation after generation.’
25Of old you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26They will perish, but you will endure; they will all wear out like a garment; like clothing you will change them, and they will pass away.
27But you are the same, and your years will not come to an end.
28The children of your servants will dwell secure, and their offspring will be established before you.
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