Psalms 102

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.	1 The prayer of one afflicted and wasting away whose anguish is poured out before the LORD.
2 Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.	2 LORD, hear my prayer; let my cry come to you.
3 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.	3 Do not hide your face from me now that I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly.
4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.	4 For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn away as in a furnace.
5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.	5 I am withered, dried up like grass, too wasted to eat my food.
6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.	6 From my loud groaning I become just skin and bones.
7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.	7 I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins.
8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.	8 I lie awake and moan, like a lone sparrow on the roof.
9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,	9 All day long my enemies taunt me; in their rage, they make my name a curse.
10 Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.	10 I eat ashes like bread, mingle my drink with tears.
11 My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.	11 Because of your furious wrath, you lifted me up just to cast me down.
12 But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.	12 My days are like a lengthening shadow; I wither like the grass.
13 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.	13 But you, LORD, are enthroned forever; your renown is for all generations.
14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.	14 You will again show mercy to Zion; now is the time for pity; the appointed time has come.
15 So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.	15 Its stones are dear to your servants; its dust moves them to pity.
16 When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.	16 The nations shall revere your name, LORD, all the kings of the earth, your glory,
17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.	17 Once the LORD has rebuilt Zion and appeared in glory,
18 This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.	18 Heeding the plea of the lowly, not scorning their prayer.
19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;	19 Let this be written for the next generation, for a people not yet born, that they may praise the LORD:
20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;	20 "The LORD looked down from the holy heights, viewed the earth from heaven,
21 To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;	21 To attend to the groaning of the prisoners, to release those doomed to die."
22 When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.	22 Then the LORD'S name will be declared on Zion, the praise of God in Jerusalem,
23 He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.	23 When all peoples and kingdoms gather to worship the LORD.
24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.	24 God has shattered my strength in mid-course, has cut short my days.
25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.	25 I plead, O my God, do not take me in the midst of my days. Your years last through all generations.
26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:	26 Of old you laid the earth's foundations; the heavens are the work of your hands.
27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.	27 They perish, but you remain; they all wear out like a garment; Like clothing you change them and they are changed,
28 The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.	28 but you are the same, your years have no end.
	29 May the children of your servants live on; may their descendants live in your presence.