Chapter 102

  Hear my prayer, Yahweh! Let my cry come to you.  

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  Don't hide your face from me in the day of my distress. Turn your ear to me. Answer me quickly in the day when I call.  

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  For my days consume away like smoke. My bones are burned as a firebrand.  

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  My heart is blighted like grass, and withered, For I forget to eat my bread.  

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

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  I am like a pelican of the wilderness. I have become as an owl of the waste places.  

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  I watch, and have become like a sparrow that is alone on the housetop.  

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  My enemies reproach me all day. Those who are mad at me use my name as a curse.  

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  For I have eaten ashes like bread, And mingled my drink with tears,  

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  Because of your indignation and your wrath, For you have taken me up, and thrown me away.  

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  My days are like a long shadow. I have withered like grass.  

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  But you, Yahweh, will abide forever; Your renown endures to all generations.  

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  You will arise and have mercy on Zion; For it is time to have pity on her. Yes, the set time has come.  

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  For your servants take pleasure in her stones, And have pity on her dust.  

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  So the nations will fear the name of Yahweh; All the kings of the earth your glory.  

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  For Yahweh has built up Zion. He has appeared in his glory.  

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  He has responded to the prayer of the destitute, And has not despised their prayer.  

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  This will be written for the generation to come. A people which will be created will praise Yah.  

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  For he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary. From heaven, Yahweh saw the earth;  

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  To hear the groans of the prisoner; To free those who are condemned to death;  

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  That men may declare the name of Yahweh in Zion, And his praise in Jerusalem;  

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  When the peoples are gathered together, The kingdoms, to serve Yahweh.  

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  He weakened my strength along the course. He shortened my days.  

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  I said, 'My God, don't take me away in the midst of my days. Your years are throughout all generations.  

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  Of old, you laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the work of your hands.  

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  They will perish, but you will endure. Yes, all of them will wear out like a garment. You will change them like a cloak, and they will be changed.  

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  But you are the same. Your years will have no end.  

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  The children of your servants will continue. Their seed will be established before you.' Psalm 103 By David.  

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