International Standard Version

New Living Translation

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

1LORD, hear my prayer! Listen to my plea!

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!

2Don’t turn away from me in my time of distress. Bend down to listen, and answer me quickly when I call to you.

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

3For my days disappear like smoke, and my bones burn like red-hot coals.

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

4My heart is sick, withered like grass, and I have lost my appetite.

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

5Because of my groaning, I am reduced to skin and bones.

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

6I am like an owl in the desert, like a little owl in a far-off wilderness.

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

7I lie awake, lonely as a solitary bird on the roof.

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

8My enemies taunt me day after day. They mock and curse me.

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

9I eat ashes for food. My tears run down into my drink

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

10because of your anger and wrath. For you have picked me up and thrown me out.

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

11My life passes as swiftly as the evening shadows. I am withering away like grass.

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

12But you, O LORD, will sit on your throne forever. Your fame will endure to every generation.

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

13You will arise and have mercy on Jerusalem — and now is the time to pity her, now is the time you promised to help.

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

14For your people love every stone in her walls and cherish even the dust in her streets.

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

15Then the nations will tremble before the LORD. The kings of the earth will tremble before his glory.

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

16For the LORD will rebuild Jerusalem. He will appear in his glory.

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

17He will listen to the prayers of the destitute. He will not reject their pleas.

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

18Let this be recorded for future generations, so that a people not yet born will praise the LORD.

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

19Tell them the LORD looked down from his heavenly sanctuary. He looked down to earth from heaven

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

20to hear the groans of the prisoners, to release those condemned to die.

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

21And so the LORD’s fame will be celebrated in Zion, his praises in Jerusalem,

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

22when multitudes gather together and kingdoms come to worship the LORD.

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

23He broke my strength in midlife, cutting short my days.

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

24But I cried to him, “O my God, who lives forever, don’t take my life while I am so young!

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

25Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands.

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.

26They will perish, but you remain forever; they will wear out like old clothing. You will change them like a garment and discard them.

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

27But you are always the same; you will live forever.

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

28The children of your people will live in security. Their children’s children will thrive in your presence.”

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.