2.3 KiB
Psalm 102Affliction in light of Eternity
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Lord, hear my prayer; let my cry for help come before you.
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Do not hide your face from me in my day of trouble. Listen closely to me; answer me quickly when I call.
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For my days vanish like smoke, and my bones burn like a furnace.
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My heart is suffering, withered like grass; I even forget to eat my food.
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Because of the sound of my groaning, my flesh sticks to my bones.
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I am like an eagle owl, like a little owl among the ruins.
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I stay awake; I am like a solitary bird on a roof.
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My enemies taunt me all day long; they ridicule and use my name as a curse.
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I eat ashes like bread and mingle my drinks with tears
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because of your indignation and wrath; for you have picked me up and thrown me aside.
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My days are like a lengthening shadow, and I wither away like grass.
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But you, Lord, are enthroned forever; your fame endures to all generations.
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You will rise up and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her-- the appointed time has come.
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For your servants take delight in its stones and favor its dust.
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Then the nations will fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth your glory,
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for the Lord will rebuild Zion; he will appear in his glory.
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He will pay attention to the prayer of the destitute and will not despise their prayer.
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This will be written for a later generation, and a people who have not yet been created will praise the Lord:
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He looked down from his holy heights-- the Lord gazed out from heaven to earth--
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to hear a prisoner's groaning, to set free those condemned to die,
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so that they might declare the name of the Lord in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem
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when peoples and kingdoms are assembled to serve the Lord.
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He has broken my strength in midcourse; he has shortened my days.
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I say, "My God, do not take me in the middle of my life! Your years continue through all generations.
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Long ago you established the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.
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They will perish, but you will endure; all of them will wear out like clothing.
You will change them like a garment, and they will pass away.
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But you are the same, and your years will never end.
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Your servants' children will dwell securely, and their offspring will be established before you."