[1] I pray to you, LORD! Please listen. [2] Don't hide from me in my time of trouble. Pay attention to my prayer and quickly give an answer. [3] My days disappear like smoke, and my bones are burning as though in a furnace. [4] I am wasting away like grass, and my appetite is gone. [5] My groaning never stops, and my bones can be seen through my skin. [6] I am like a lonely owl in the desert [7] or a restless sparrow alone on a roof. [8] My enemies insult me all day, and they use my name for a curse word. [9] Instead of food, I have ashes to eat and tears to drink, [10] because you are furious and have thrown me aside. [11] My life fades like a shadow at the end of day and withers like grass. [12] Our LORD, you are King forever and will always be famous. [13] You will show pity to Zion because the time has come. [14] We, your servants, love each stone in the city, and we are sad to see them lying in the dirt. [15] Our LORD, the nations will honor you, and all kings on earth will praise your glory. [16] You will rebuild the city of Zion. Your glory will be seen, [17] and the prayers of the homeless will be answered. [18] Future generations must also praise the LORD, so write this for them: [19] "From his holy temple, the LORD looked down at the earth. [20] He listened to the groans of prisoners, and he rescued everyone who was doomed to die." [21] All Jerusalem should praise you, our LORD, [22] when people from every nation meet to worship you. [23] I should still be strong, but you, LORD, have made an old person of me. [24] You will live forever! Years mean nothing to you. Don't cut my life in half! [25] In the beginning, LORD, you laid the earth's foundation and created the heavens. [26] They will all disappear and wear out like clothes. You change them, as you would a coat, but you last forever. [27] You are always the same. Years cannot change you. [28] Every generation of those who serve you will live in your presence.
