Psalm 102 | King James Version

King James Version

1 A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee. 2 Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily. 3 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth. 4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread. 5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin. 6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. 7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top. 8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me. 9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping, 10 Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down. 11 My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass. 12 But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations. 13 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. 14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof. 15 So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory. 16 When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory. 17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer. 18 This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD. 19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth; 20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; 21 To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem; 22 When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD. 23 He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days. 24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. 25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. 26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: 27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. 28 The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.

New International Reader’s Version

A prayer of a suffering person who has become weak. They pour out their problems to the Lord.

1 LORD, hear my prayer. Listen to my cry for help. 2 Don’t turn your face away from me when I’m in trouble. Pay attention to me. When I call out for help, answer me quickly. 3 My days are disappearing like smoke. My body burns like glowing coals. 4 My strength has dried up like grass. I even forget to eat my food. 5 I groan out loud because of my suffering. I’m nothing but skin and bones. 6 I’m like a desert owl. I’m like an owl among destroyed buildings. 7 I can’t sleep. I’ve become like a bird alone on a roof. 8 All day long my enemies laugh at me. Those who make fun of me use my name as a curse. 9 I eat ashes as my food. My tears fall into what I’m drinking. 10 You were very angry with me. So you picked me up and threw me away. 11 The days of my life are like an evening shadow. I dry up like grass. 12 But LORD, you are seated on your throne for ever. Your fame will continue for all time to come. 13 You will rise up and show deep concern for Zion. The time has come for you to help Zion. 14 The stones of your destroyed city are priceless to us. Even its dust brings deep concern to us. 15 The nations will worship the LORD. All the kings on earth will respect his glorious power. 16 The LORD will build Zion again. He will appear in his glory. 17 He will answer the prayer of those who don’t have anything. He won’t say no to their cry for help. 18 Let this be written down for those born after us. Then people who are not yet born can praise the LORD. 19 Here is what should be written. ‘The LORD looked down from his temple in heaven. From heaven he viewed the earth. 20 He heard the groans of the prisoners. He set free those who were sentenced to death.’ 21 So people will talk about him in Zion. They will praise him in Jerusalem. 22 Nations and kingdoms will gather there to worship the LORD. 23 When I was still young, he took away my strength. He wasn’t going to let me live much longer. 24 So I said, ‘My God, don’t let me die in the middle of my life. You will live for all time to come. 25 In the beginning you made the earth secure. You placed it on its foundations. Your hands created the heavens. 26 They will pass away. But you will remain. They will all wear out like a piece of clothing. You will make them like clothes that are taken off and thrown away. 27 But you remain the same. Your years will never end. 28 Our children will live with you. Their sons and daughters will be safe in your care.’