English Standard Version

International Standard Version

1Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry come to you!

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

2Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress! Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day 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 pass away like smoke, and my bones burn like a furnace.

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

4My heart is struck down like grass and has withered; I forget to eat my bread.

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

5Because of my loud groaning my bones cling to my flesh.

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

6I am like a desert owl of the wilderness, like an owl of the waste places;

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

7I lie awake; I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop.

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

8All the day my enemies taunt me; those who deride me use my name for a curse.

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

9For I eat ashes like bread and mingle tears with my drink,

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

10because of your indignation and anger; for you have taken me up and thrown me down.

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

11My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass.

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

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

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

13You will arise and have pity on Zion; it is the time to favor her; 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 hold her stones dear and have pity on her dust.

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

15Nations 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 builds up Zion; he appears in his glory;

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

17he regards the prayer of the destitute and does not despise their prayer.

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

18Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD:

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

19that he looked down from his holy height; from heaven the LORD looked at the earth,

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

20to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die,

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

21that they may declare in Zion the name of the LORD, and in Jerusalem his praise,

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

22when peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to worship the LORD.

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

23He has broken my strength in midcourse; he has shortened my days.

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

24“O my God,” I say, “take me not away in the midst of my days— you whose years endure throughout all generations!”

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

25Of old you laid the foundation 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 will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away,

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 are the same, and your years have no end.

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

28The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you.

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

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.

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