1A prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out before the Lord his complaint. O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come unto thee. 2Hide not thy face from me on the day when I am distressed; incline unto me thy ear; on the day when I call, answer me speedily. 3For my days vanish in smoke, and my bones are burning like a hearth. 4Struck by heat like the herb and dried up is my heart; for I forget to eat my bread. 5Because of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my flesh. 6I am like the pelican of the wilderness: I am become like the owl amid ruins. 7I watch, and I am become like a night–bird sitting alone upon the housetop. 8All the day my enemies reproach me: they that mock me swear by me. 9For ashes do I eat like bread, and my drink I mingle with weeping; 10Because of thy indignation and thy wrath; for thou hadst lifted me up, and hast cast me down. 11My days are like a shadow that declineth; and like the herb I wither. 12But thou, O Lord, wilt sit enthroned for ever; and thy memorial is unto all generations. 13Thou wilt indeed arise; thou wilt have mercy upon Zion; for it is time to favor her, for the appointed time is coming. 14For thy servants hold dear her stones, and her very dust they cherish. 15Then shall nations fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth thy glory: 16When the Lord shalt have built up Zion, he appeareth in his glory; 17When he hath regarded the prayer of the forsaken, and doth not despise their prayer. 18This shall be written down for the latest generation; and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord. 19For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; the Lord hath cast from heaven his view to the earth: 20To hear the sighing of the prisoner; to loosen those that are doomed to death: 21That men may proclaim in Zion the name of the Lord, and his praise in Jerusalem; 22When people are gathered together, and kingdoms, to serve the Lord.–– 23He hath weakened on the way my strength; he hath shortened my days. 24I will say, O my God! take me not away in the midst of my days: throughout all generations are thy years. 25In olden times didst thou lay the foundations of the earth; and the heavens are the work of thy hands. 26These will indeed perish, but thou wilt ever exist: yea, all of them will wear out like a garment; as a vesture wilt thou change them, and they will be changed; 27But thou art ever the same, and thy years will have no end. 28The children of thy servants will dwell securely, and their seed will be firmly established before thee.