NET Bible | Berean Study Bible |
1The prayer of an oppressed man, as he grows faint and pours out his lament before the LORD. O LORD, hear my prayer! Pay attention to my cry for help! | 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. |
2Do not ignore me in my time of trouble! Listen to me! When I call out to you, quickly answer me! | 2Do not hide Your face from me in my day of distress. Incline Your ear to me; answer me quickly when I call. |
3For my days go up in smoke, and my bones are charred like a fireplace. | 3For my days vanish like smoke, and my bones burn like glowing embers. |
4My heart is parched and withered like grass, for I am unable to eat food. | 4My heart is afflicted, and withered like grass; I even forget to eat my bread. |
5Because of the anxiety that makes me groan, my bones protrude from my skin. | 5Through my loud groaning my flesh clings to my bones. |
6I am like an owl in the wilderness; I am like a screech owl among the ruins. | 6I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins. |
7I stay awake; I am like a solitary bird on a roof. | 7I lie awake; I am like a lone bird on a housetop. |
8All day long my enemies taunt me; those who mock me use my name in their curses. | 8All day long my enemies taunt me; they ridicule me and curse me. |
9For I eat ashes as if they were bread, and mix my drink with my tears, | 9For I have eaten ashes like bread and mixed my drink with tears |
10because of your anger and raging fury. Indeed, you pick me up and throw me away. | 10because of Your indignation and wrath, for You have picked me up and cast me aside. |
11My days are coming to an end, and I am withered like grass. | 11My days are like lengthening shadows, and I wither away like grass. |
12But you, O LORD, rule forever, and your reputation endures. | 12But You, O LORD, sit enthroned forever; Your renown endures to all generations. |
13You will rise up and have compassion on Zion. For it is time to have mercy on her, for the appointed time has come. | 13You will rise up and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show her favor—the appointed time has come. |
14Indeed, your servants take delight in her stones, and feel compassion for the dust of her ruins. | 14For Your servants delight in her stones and take pity on her dust. |
15The nations will respect the reputation of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth will respect his splendor, | 15So the nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth will fear Your glory. |
16when the LORD rebuilds Zion, and reveals his splendor, | 16For the LORD will rebuild Zion; He has appeared in His glory. |
17when he responds to the prayer of the destitute, and does not reject their request. | 17He will turn toward the prayer of the destitute; He will not despise their prayer. |
18The account of his intervention will be recorded for future generations; people yet to be born will praise the LORD. | 18Let this be written for the generation to come, so that a people not yet created may praise the LORD. |
19For he will look down from his sanctuary above; from heaven the LORD will look toward earth, | 19For He looked down from the heights of His sanctuary; the LORD gazed out from heaven to earth |
20in order to hear the painful cries of the prisoners, and to set free those condemned to die, | 20to hear a prisoner’s groaning, to release those condemned to death, |
21so they may proclaim the name of the LORD in Zion, and praise him in Jerusalem, | 21that they may proclaim the name of the LORD in Zion and praise Him in Jerusalem, |
22when the nations gather together, and the kingdoms pay tribute to the LORD. | 22when peoples and kingdoms assemble to serve the LORD. |
23He has taken away my strength in the middle of life; he has cut short my days. | 23He has broken my strength on the way; He has cut short my days. |
24I say, "O my God, please do not take me away in the middle of my life! You endure through all generations. | 24I say: “O my God, do not take me in the midst of my days! Your years go on through all generations. |
25In earlier times you established the earth; the skies are your handiwork. | 25In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. |
26They will perish, but you will endure. They will wear out like a garment; like clothes you will remove them and they will disappear. | 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. |
27But you remain; your years do not come to an end. | 27But You remain the same, and Your years will never end. |
28The children of your servants will settle down here, and their descendants will live securely in your presence." | 28The children of Your servants will dwell securely, and their descendants will be established before You.” |
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