International Standard Version

Christian Standard Bible

1LORD, hear my prayer! May my cry for help come to you.

1LORD, hear my prayer; let my cry for help come before you.

2Do not hide your face from me when I am in trouble. Listen to me. When I call to out you, hurry to answer me!

2Do not hide your face from me in my day of trouble. Listen closely to me; answer me quickly when I call.

3For my days are vanishing like smoke; my bones are charred as in a fireplace.

3For my days vanish like smoke, and my bones burn like a furnace.

4Withered like grass, my heart is overwhelmed, and I have even forgotten to eat my food.

4My heart is suffering, withered like grass; I even forget to eat my food.

5Because of the sound of my sighing, my bones cling to my skin.

5Because of the sound of my groaning, my flesh sticks to my bones.

6I resemble a pelican in the wilderness or an owl in a desolate land.

6I am like an eagle owl, like a little owl among the ruins.

7I lie awake, yet I am like a bird isolated on a rooftop.

7I stay awake; I am like a solitary bird on a roof.

8My enemies revile me all day long; those who ridicule me use my name to curse.

8My enemies taunt me all day long; they ridicule and use my name as a curse.

9I have eaten ashes as food and mixed my drink with tears

9I eat ashes like bread and mingle my drinks with tears

10because of your indignation and wrath, when you lifted and threw me away.

10because of your indignation and wrath; for you have picked me up and thrown me aside.

11My life is like a declining shadow, and I am withering like a plant.

11My days are like a lengthening shadow, and I wither away like grass.

12But you, LORD, are enthroned forever; You are remembered throughout all generations.

12But you, LORD, are enthroned forever; your fame endures to all generations.

13You will arise to extend compassion on Zion, for it is time to show her favor— the appointed time has come.

13You will rise up and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her--the appointed time has come.

14Your servants take pleasure in its stones and delight in its debris.

14For your servants take delight in its stones and favor its dust.

15Nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth, your splendor.

15Then the nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth your glory,

16When the LORD rebuilds Zion, he will appear in his glory.

16for the LORD will rebuild Zion; he will appear in his glory.

17He will turn to the prayer of the destitute, not despising their prayer.

17He will pay attention to the prayer of the destitute and will not despise their prayer.

18Write this for the next generation, that a people yet to be created will praise the LORD.

18This will be written for a later generation, and a people who have not yet been created will praise the LORD:

19For when he looked down from his holy heights— the LORD looked over the earth from heaven—

19He looked down from his holy heights--the LORD gazed out from heaven to earth--

20to listen to the groans of prisoners, to set free those condemned to death,

20to hear a prisoner's groaning, to set free those condemned to die,

21so they would declare the name of the LORD in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem,

21so that they might declare the name of the LORD in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem,

22when people and kingdoms gather together to serve the LORD.

22when peoples and kingdoms are assembled to serve the LORD.

23He has weakened my strength along the way. He has cut short my days.

23He has broken my strength in midcourse; he has shortened my days.

24I say, "My God, whose years continue through all generations, do not take me in the middle of my life.

24I say: "My God, do not take me in the middle of my life! Your years continue through all generations.

25You established the earth long ago; the heavens are the work of your hands.

25Long ago you established the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

26They will perish, but you will remain; and they all will become worn out, like a garment. You will change them like clothing, and they will pass away.

26They 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.

27But you remain the same; your years never end.

27But you are the same, and your years will never end.

28May the descendants of your servants live securely, and may their children be established in your presence."

28Your servants' children will dwell securely, and their offspring will be established before you."

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.