Chapter 102

  {A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before Jehovah.} Jehovah, hear my prayer, and let my cry come unto thee.  

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  Hide not thy face from me: in the day of my trouble, incline thine ear unto me; in the day I call, answer me speedily.  

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  For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as a firebrand.  

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  My heart is smitten and withered like grass; yea, I have forgotten to eat my bread.  

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

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  I am become like the pelican of the wilderness, I am as an owl in desolate places;  

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  I watch, and am like a sparrow alone upon the housetop.  

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  Mine enemies reproach me all the day; they that are mad against me swear by me.  

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

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

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  My days are like a lengthened-out shadow, and I, I am withered like grass.  

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  But thou, Jehovah, abidest for ever, and thy memorial from generation to generation.  

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  Thou wilt rise up, thou wilt have mercy upon Zion: for it is the time to be gracious to her, for the set time is come.  

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  For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour her dust.  

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  And the nations shall fear the name of Jehovah, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.  

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

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

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  This shall be written for the generation to come; and a people that shall be created shall praise Jah:  

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  For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from the heavens hath Jehovah beheld the earth,  

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

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  That the name of Jehovah may be declared in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem,  

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  When the peoples shall be gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve Jehovah.  

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

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  I said, My ùGod, take me not away in the midst of my days! ... Thy years are from generation to generation.  

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  Of old hast thou founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands:  

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  They shall perish, but thou continuest; and all of them shall grow old as a garment: as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed.  

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  But thou art the Same, and thy years shall have no end.  

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

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