1A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and pours out his complaint before Yahweh. Hear my prayer, O Yahweh, And let my cry come to you. 2Don't hide your face from me in the day of my distress: Incline your ear to me; In the day when I call answer me speedily. 3For my days consume away in smoke, And my bones are burned as a firebrand. 4My heart is struck like grass, and withered; For I forget to eat my bread. 5By reason of the voice of my groaning My bones stick to my flesh. 6I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I have become as an owl of the waste places. 7I watch, and have become like a sparrow That is alone on the housetop. 8My enemies reproach me all the day; Those who are insane against me curse by me. 9For I have eaten ashes like bread, And mingled my drink with weeping, 10Because of your indignation and your wrath: For you have taken me up, and cast me away. 11My days are like a shadow that declines; And I am withered like grass. 12But you, O Yahweh, will remain forever; And your memorial [name] to all generations. 13You will arise, and have mercy on Zion; For it is time to have pity on her, Yes, the set time has come. 14For your slaves take pleasure in her stones, And have pity on her dust. 15So the nations will fear the name of Yahweh, And all the kings of the earth your glory. 16For Yahweh has built up Zion; He has appeared in his glory. 17He has regarded the prayer of the destitute, And has not despised their prayer. 18This will be written for the generation to come; And a people which will be created will praise Yah. 19For he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary; From heaven Yahweh looked at the earth; 20To hear the sighing of the prisoner; To loose those who are appointed to death; 21That men may declare the name of Yahweh in Zion, And his praise in Jerusalem; 22When the peoples are gathered together, And the kingdoms, to serve Yahweh. 23He weakened my strength in the way; He shortened my days. 24I said, O my God, don't take me away in the midst of my days: Your years are throughout all generations. 25Of old did you lay the foundation of the earth; And the heavens are the work of your hands. 26They will perish, but you will endure; Yes, all of them will wax old like a garment; As a vesture you will change them, and they will be changed: 27But you are the same, And your years will have no end. 28The sons of your slaves will stay, And their seed will be established before you.