1Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come to you.
2Do not hide your face from me in the day when I am in trouble. Turn your ear to me. In the day when I call, answer me quickly.
3For my days vanish like smoke, and my bones burn like a hearth.
4My heart is struck down and withered like grass, so that I forget to eat my bread.
5Because of the sound of my groaning, my bones cling to my skin.
6I am like a pelican of the wilderness. I am like an owl of the desert.
7I lie awake, and I am like a sparrow alone on the housetop.
8My enemies insult me all day long. Those who rage against me have sworn an oath against me.
9For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mixed my drink with weeping,
10because of your anger and your wrath. For you have lifted me up and thrown me down.
11My days are like a shadow that fades, and I am withered like grass.
12But you, O LORD, will last for ever, and your name will be remembered through all generations.
13You will rise up and have mercy on Zion. For the time to favour her, the appointed time, has come.
14For your servants take pleasure in her stones, and they love her dust.
15So the nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory.
16When the LORD builds up Zion, he will appear in his glory.
17He will pay attention to the prayer of the destitute, and will not despise their prayer.
18This will be written for the generation to come, and a people yet to be created will praise the LORD.
19For he has looked down from the height of his holy place. From heaven the LORD looked at the earth,
20to hear the groaning of the prisoner, to set free those who are condemned to death,
21so that the name of the LORD may be told in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem,
22when the peoples are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
23He weakened my strength along the way. He shortened my days.
24I said, "O my God, do not take me away in the middle of my days. Your years go on through all generations."
25"Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands."
26"They will perish, but you will remain. Yes, all of them will wear out like a garment. You will change them like clothing, and they will be changed."
27"But you are the same, and your years will have no end."
28The children of your servants will go on living, and their descendants will be established before you.