Psalms 102 In his great affliction the psalmist calls on God to restore his people and bring them back to their land

 Psalms 102

In his great affliction the psalmist calls on God to restore his people and bring them back to their land

1 Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come to you.

2 Do not hide your face from me in the day of my trouble; incline your ear to me; in the day I call, answer me quickly.

3 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned like firewood.

4 My heart is wounded and withered like grass, so that I forget to eat my bread.

5 My bones stick to my skin because of my groaning.

6 I am like a pelican in the desert; I am like an owl in the desert.

7 I am like a sparrow alone on the housetop. 

8 My enemies reproach me all day long; those who are angry with me curse me.

9 For I have eaten ashes like bread and mixed my drink with tears,

10 Because of your anger and your wrath, for you have lifted me up and thrown me down.

11 My days are like a shadow that fades, and I wither like grass.

12 But you, O Lord, will endure forever, and your remembrance to all generations.

13 You will arise and have mercy on Zion; for the time to have mercy on her, the appointed time, has come.

14 For your servants take pleasure in her stones, and have compassion on her dust. 

15 Then the nations will fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory, 

16 When the Lord builds up Zion and appears in his glory, 

17 And he will hear the prayer of the destitute, and will not despise their prayer. 

18 This will be written for a generation to come, and the people who will be created will praise the Lord. 

19 For he looks down from his sanctuary, from heaven the Lord looks down on the earth, 

20 To hear the groaning of the prisoners, to release those appointed to death; 

21 That the name of the Lord may be declared in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem, 

22 When all the peoples are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord. 

23 He has broken my strength in the way; he has shortened my days.

 24 I said, “My God, do not take me away in the midst of my days, you whose years have reached all generations.” 

25 Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

26 They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment; you will change them like a vesture, and they will be changed.

27 But you are the same, and your years will never end.

28 The children of your servants will continue, and their descendants will be established before you.