[1] LORD, listen to my prayer; let my cry for help come to you. [2] Do not hide from me in my time of trouble. Pay attention to me. When I cry for help, answer me quickly. [3] My life is passing away like smoke, and my bones are burned up with fire. [4] My heart is like grass that has been cut and dried. I forget to eat. [5] Because of my grief, my skin hangs on my bones. [6] I am like a desert owl, like an owl living among the ruins. [7] I lie awake. I am like a lonely bird on a housetop. [8] All day long enemies insult me; those who make fun of me use my name as a curse. [9] I eat ashes for food, and my tears fall into my drinks. [10] Because of your great anger, you have picked me up and thrown me away. [11] My days are like a passing shadow; I am like dried grass. [12] But, LORD, you rule forever, and your fame goes on and on. [13] You will come and have mercy on Jerusalem, because the time has now come to be kind to her; the right time has come. [14] Your servants love even her stones; they even care about her dust. [15] Nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings on earth will honor you. [16] The LORD will rebuild Jerusalem; there his glory will be seen. [17] He will answer the prayers of the needy; he will not reject their prayers. [18] Write these things for the future so that people who are not yet born will praise the LORD. [19] The LORD looked down from his holy place above; from heaven he looked down at the earth. [20] He heard the moans of the prisoners, and he freed those sentenced to die. [21] The name of the LORD will be heard in Jerusalem; his praise will be heard there. [22] People will come together, and kingdoms will serve the LORD. [23] God has made me tired of living; he has cut short my life. [24] So I said, "My God, do not take me in the middle of my life. Your years go on and on. [25] In the beginning you made the earth, and your hands made the skies. [26] They will be destroyed, but you will remain. They will all wear out like clothes. And, like clothes, you will change them and throw them away. [27] But you never change, and your life will never end. [28] Our children will live in your presence, and their children will remain with you."
