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The Prayer of the Afflicted

Psalm subtitle:A prayer of one who is afflicted, when he grows faint and pours out his lament before the LORD.

Verse1Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come before You.

Verse2Do not hide Your face from me in my day of distress. Incline Your ear to me; answer me quickly when I call.

Verse3For my days vanish like smoke, and my bones burn like glowing embers.

Verse4My heart is afflicted, and withered like grass; I even forget to eat my bread.

Verse5Through my loud groaning my skin hangs on my bones.

Verse6I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins.

Verse7I lie awake; I am like a lone bird on a housetop.

Verse8All day long my enemies taunt me; they ridicule me and curse me.

Verse9For I have eaten ashes like bread and mixed my drink with tears

Verse10because of Your indignation and wrath, for You have picked me up and cast me aside.

Verse11My days are like lengthening shadows, and I wither away like grass.

Verse12But You, O LORD, sit enthroned forever; Your renown endures to all generations.

Verse13You will rise up and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show her favor— the appointed time has come.

Verse14For Your servants delight in her stones and take pity on her dust.

Verse15So the nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth will fear Your glory.

Verse16For the LORD will rebuild Zion; He has appeared in His glory.

Verse17He will turn toward the prayer of the destitute; He will not despise their prayer.

Verse18Let this be written for the generation to come, so that a people not yet created may praise the LORD.

Verse19For He looked down from the heights of His sanctuary; the LORD gazed out from heaven to earth

Verse20to hear a prisoner’s groaning, to release those condemned to death,

Verse21that they may proclaim the name of the LORD in Zion and praise Him in Jerusalem,

Verse22when peoples and kingdoms assemble to serve the LORD.

Verse23He has broken my strength on the way; He has cut short my days.

Verse24I say: “O my God, do not take me in the midst of my days! Your years go on through all generations.

Verse25In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.

Verse26They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing You will change them, and they will be passed on.

Verse27But You remain the same, and Your years will never end.

Verse28The children of Your servants will dwell securely, and their descendants will be established before You.”