A Prayer for Restoration

1Remember, O Jehovah, what was to us: look and see our reproach.

2Our inheritance was turned to strangers, our houses to foreigners.

3We were orphans, no father; our mothers as widows.

4We drank our water for silver; our wood will come for a price.

5Upon our necks were we pursued: we labored and no rest to us.

6We gave the hand to Egypt, to Assur, to be filled with bread.

7Our fathers sinned, they are not; we bore their iniquities.

8Servants ruled over us: none delivering from their hand.

9With our souls we shall bring our bread from the face of the sword of the desert.

10Our skin was scorched as a furnace from the face of the violent heat of famine.

11They humbled the women in Zion the virgins in the cities of Judah.

12Chiefs were hung by their hand: the faces of old men were not honored.

13They took away the chosen ones to grind, and the young men were weak in the wood.

14Old men ceased from the gate, the chosen ones from their stringed instruments.

15The joy of our heart ceased; our dance was turned to mourning.

16The crown of our head fell: wo! now to us, for we sinned.

17For this our heart was languid; for this our eyes were darkened.

18For mount Zion was laid waste, the foxes went upon it.

19Thou, O Jehovah, shalt dwell forever; thy throne to generation and generation.

20Wherefore wilt thou forget us forever? wilt thou forsake us to length of days?

21Turn us back, O Jehovah, to thee, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

22But rejecting, thou didst reject us; thou wert angry against us even greatly.