Chapter 102

  A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come to thee.  

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  Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thy ear to me: in the day when I call, answer me speedily.  

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  For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.  

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  My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.  

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  By reason of the voice of my groaning, my bones cleave to my skin.  

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  I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.  

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  I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.  

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  My enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are enraged against me are sworn against me.  

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  For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,  

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  Because of thy indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.  

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  My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.  

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  But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance to all generations.  

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  Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favor her, yes, the set time, is come.  

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  For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favor the dust thereof.  

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  So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD: and all the kings of the earth thy glory.  

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  When the LORD shall build up Zion, he will appear in his glory.  

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  He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.  

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  This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.  

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  For he hath looked down from the hight of his sanctuary; from heaven hath the LORD beheld the earth;  

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  To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;  

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  To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;  

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  When the people are assembled, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.  

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  He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.  

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  I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.  

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  Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.  

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  They shall perish, but thou wilt endure: yes, all of them shall grow old like a garment; as a vesture wilt thou change them, and they shall be changed:  

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  But thou art the same, and thy years will have no end.  

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  The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.  

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