| 1The prayer of an oppressed man, as he grows faint and pours out his lament before the LORD. O LORD, hear my prayer! Pay attention to my cry for help! | 1The prayer of an oppressed man, as he grows faint and pours out his lament before the LORD. O LORD, hear my prayer! Pay attention to my cry for help! |
| 2Do not ignore me in my time of trouble! Listen to me! When I call out to you, quickly answer me! | 2Do not ignore me in my time of trouble! Listen to me! When I call out to you, quickly answer me! |
| 3For my days go up in smoke, and my bones are charred like a fireplace. | 3For my days go up in smoke, and my bones are charred like a fireplace. |
| 4My heart is parched and withered like grass, for I am unable to eat food. | 4My heart is parched and withered like grass, for I am unable to eat food. |
| 5Because of the anxiety that makes me groan, my bones protrude from my skin. | 5Because of the anxiety that makes me groan, my bones protrude from my skin. |
| 6I am like an owl in the wilderness; I am like a screech owl among the ruins. | 6I am like an owl in the wilderness; I am like a screech owl among the ruins. |
| 7I stay awake; I am like a solitary bird on a roof. | 7I stay awake; I am like a solitary bird on a roof. |
| 8All day long my enemies taunt me; those who mock me use my name in their curses. | 8All day long my enemies taunt me; those who mock me use my name in their curses. |
| 9For I eat ashes as if they were bread, and mix my drink with my tears, | 9For I eat ashes as if they were bread, and mix my drink with my tears, |
| 10because of your anger and raging fury. Indeed, you pick me up and throw me away. | 10because of your anger and raging fury. Indeed, you pick me up and throw me away. |
| 11My days are coming to an end, and I am withered like grass. | 11My days are coming to an end, and I am withered like grass. |
| 12But you, O LORD, rule forever, and your reputation endures. | 12But you, O LORD, rule forever, and your reputation endures. |
| 13You will rise up and have compassion on Zion. For it is time to have mercy on her, for the appointed time has come. | 13You will rise up and have compassion on Zion. For it is time to have mercy on her, for the appointed time has come. |
| 14Indeed, your servants take delight in her stones, and feel compassion for the dust of her ruins. | 14Indeed, your servants take delight in her stones, and feel compassion for the dust of her ruins. |
| 15The nations will respect the reputation of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth will respect his splendor, | 15The nations will respect the reputation of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth will respect his splendor, |
| 16when the LORD rebuilds Zion, and reveals his splendor, | 16when the LORD rebuilds Zion, and reveals his splendor, |
| 17when he responds to the prayer of the destitute, and does not reject their request. | 17when he responds to the prayer of the destitute, and does not reject their request. |
| 18The account of his intervention will be recorded for future generations; people yet to be born will praise the LORD. | 18The account of his intervention will be recorded for future generations; people yet to be born will praise the LORD. |
| 19For he will look down from his sanctuary above; from heaven the LORD will look toward earth, | 19For he will look down from his sanctuary above; from heaven the LORD will look toward earth, |
| 20in order to hear the painful cries of the prisoners, and to set free those condemned to die, | 20in order to hear the painful cries of the prisoners, and to set free those condemned to die, |
| 21so they may proclaim the name of the LORD in Zion, and praise him in Jerusalem, | 21so they may proclaim the name of the LORD in Zion, and praise him in Jerusalem, |
| 22when the nations gather together, and the kingdoms pay tribute to the LORD. | 22when the nations gather together, and the kingdoms pay tribute to the LORD. |
| 23He has taken away my strength in the middle of life; he has cut short my days. | 23He has taken away my strength in the middle of life; he has cut short my days. |
| 24I say, "O my God, please do not take me away in the middle of my life! You endure through all generations. | 24I say, "O my God, please do not take me away in the middle of my life! You endure through all generations. |
| 25In earlier times you established the earth; the skies are your handiwork. | 25In earlier times you established the earth; the skies are your handiwork. |
| 26They will perish, but you will endure. They will wear out like a garment; like clothes you will remove them and they will disappear. | 26They will perish, but you will endure. They will wear out like a garment; like clothes you will remove them and they will disappear. |
| 27But you remain; your years do not come to an end. | 27But you remain; your years do not come to an end. |
| 28The children of your servants will settle down here, and their descendants will live securely in your presence." | 28The children of your servants will settle down here, and their descendants will live securely in your presence." |
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