Berean Standard Bible

International Standard Version

1A prayer of one who is afflicted, when he grows faint and pours out his lament before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come before You.

1LORD, hear my prayer! May my cry for help come to you.

2Do not hide Your face from me in my day of distress. Incline Your ear to me; answer me quickly when I call.

2Do not hide your face from me when I am in trouble. Listen to me. When I call to out you, hurry to answer me!

3For my days vanish like smoke, and my bones burn like glowing embers.

3For my days are vanishing like smoke; my bones are charred as in a fireplace.

4My heart is afflicted, and withered like grass; I even forget to eat my bread.

4Withered like grass, my heart is overwhelmed, and I have even forgotten to eat my food.

5Through my loud groaning my skin hangs on my bones.

5Because of the sound of my sighing, my bones cling to my skin.

6I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins.

6I resemble a pelican in the wilderness or an owl in a desolate land.

7I lie awake; I am like a lone bird on a housetop.

7I lie awake, yet I am like a bird isolated on a rooftop.

8All day long my enemies taunt me; they ridicule me and curse me.

8My enemies revile me all day long; those who ridicule me use my name to curse.

9For I have eaten ashes like bread and mixed my drink with tears

9I have eaten ashes as food and mixed my drink with tears

10because of Your indignation and wrath, for You have picked me up and cast me aside.

10because of your indignation and wrath, when you lifted and threw me away.

11My days are like lengthening shadows, and I wither away like grass.

11My life is like a declining shadow, and I am withering like a plant.

12But You, O LORD, sit enthroned forever; Your renown endures to all generations.

12But you, LORD, are enthroned forever; You are remembered throughout all generations.

13You will rise up and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show her favor—the appointed time has come.

13You will arise to extend compassion on Zion, for it is time to show her favor— the appointed time has come.

14For Your servants delight in her stones and take pity on her dust.

14Your servants take pleasure in its stones and delight in its debris.

15So the nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth will fear Your glory.

15Nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth, your splendor.

16For the LORD will rebuild Zion; He has appeared in His glory.

16When the LORD rebuilds Zion, he will appear in his glory.

17He will turn toward the prayer of the destitute; He will not despise their prayer.

17He will turn to the prayer of the destitute, not despising their prayer.

18Let this be written for the generation to come, so that a people not yet created may praise the LORD.

18Write this for the next generation, that a people yet to be created will praise the LORD.

19For He looked down from the heights of His sanctuary; the LORD gazed out from heaven to earth

19For when he looked down from his holy heights— the LORD looked over the earth from heaven—

20to hear a prisoner’s groaning, to release those condemned to death,

20to listen to the groans of prisoners, to set free those condemned to death,

21that they may proclaim the name of the LORD in Zion and praise Him in Jerusalem,

21so they would declare the name of the LORD in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem,

22when peoples and kingdoms assemble to serve the LORD.

22when people and kingdoms gather together to serve the LORD.

23He has broken my strength on the way; He has cut short my days.

23He has weakened my strength along the way. He has cut short my days.

24I say: “O my God, do not take me in the midst of my days! Your years go on through all generations.

24I say, "My God, whose years continue through all generations, do not take me in the middle of my life.

25In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.

25You established the earth long ago; the heavens are the work of your hands.

26They 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.

26They will perish, but you will remain; and they all will become worn out, like a garment. You will change them like clothing, and they will pass away.

27But You remain the same, and Your years will never end.

27But you remain the same; your years never end.

28The children of Your servants will dwell securely, and their descendants will be established before You.”

28May the descendants of your servants live securely, and may their children be established in your presence."

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