Psalms 102

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 The prayer of one afflicted and wasting away whose anguish is poured out before the LORD.	1 To David himself. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and bless his holy name, all that is within me.
2 LORD, hear my prayer; let my cry come to you.	2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his recompenses.
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.	3 He forgives all your iniquities. He heals all your infirmities.
4 For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn away as in a furnace.	4 He redeems your life from destruction. He crowns you with mercy and compassion.
5 I am withered, dried up like grass, too wasted to eat my food.	5 He satisfies your desire with good things. Your youth will be renewed like that of the eagle.
6 From my loud groaning I become just skin and bones.	6 The Lord accomplishes mercies, and his judgment is for all who patiently endure injuries.
7 I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins.	7 He has made his ways known to Moses, his will to the sons of Israel.
8 I lie awake and moan, like a lone sparrow on the roof.	8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful, patient and full of mercy.
9 All day long my enemies taunt me; in their rage, they make my name a curse.	9 He will not be angry forever, and he will not threaten for eternity.
10 I eat ashes like bread, mingle my drink with tears.	10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, and he has not repaid us according to our iniquities.
11 Because of your furious wrath, you lifted me up just to cast me down.	11 For according to the height of the heavens above the earth, so has he reinforced his mercy toward those who fear him.
12 My days are like a lengthening shadow; I wither like the grass.	12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our iniquities from us.
13 But you, LORD, are enthroned forever; your renown is for all generations.	13 As a father is compassionate to his sons, so has the Lord been compassionate to those who fear him.
14 You will again show mercy to Zion; now is the time for pity; the appointed time has come.	14 For he knows our form. He has called to mind that we are dust.
15 Its stones are dear to your servants; its dust moves them to pity.	15 Man: his days are like hay. Like the flower of the field, so will he flourish.
16 The nations shall revere your name, LORD, all the kings of the earth, your glory,	16 For the spirit in him will pass away, and it will not remain, and he will know his place no longer.
17 Once the LORD has rebuilt Zion and appeared in glory,	17 But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity, and even unto eternity, upon those who fear him. And his justice is with the sons of the sons,
18 Heeding the plea of the lowly, not scorning their prayer.	18 with those who serve his covenant and have been mindful of his commandments by doing them.
19 Let this be written for the next generation, for a people not yet born, that they may praise the LORD:	19 The Lord has prepared his throne in heaven, and his kingdom will rule over all.
20 "The LORD looked down from the holy heights, viewed the earth from heaven,	20 Bless the Lord, all you his Angels: powerful in virtue, doing his word, in order to heed the voice of his discourse.
21 To attend to the groaning of the prisoners, to release those doomed to die."	21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts: his ministers who do his will.
22 Then the LORD'S name will be declared on Zion, the praise of God in Jerusalem,	22 Bless the Lord, all his works: in every place of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
23 When all peoples and kingdoms gather to worship the LORD.
24 God has shattered my strength in mid-course, has cut short my days.
25 I plead, O my God, do not take me in the midst of my days. Your years last through all generations.
26 Of old you laid the earth's foundations; the heavens are the work of your hands.
27 They perish, but you remain; they all wear out like a garment; Like clothing you change them and they are changed,
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.