¶ A prayer of the afflicted, when he was in woe, and poured out his complaint before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my crying come unto thee.
Hide not thy face from me in the time of my trouble incline thine ears unto me when I call, O hear me and that right soon.
For my days are consumed away like smoke, and my bones are brent up as it were a fire brand.
My heart is smitten down and withered like grass, so that I forget to eat my bread.
For the voice of my groaning, my bone will scarce cleave to my flesh.
I am become like a pelican in the wilderness, and like an owl in a broken wall.
I wake, and am even as it were a sparrow sitting alone upon the house top.
Mine enemies revile me all the day long, they laugh me to scorn, and are sworn together against me.
I eat ashes with my bread, and mingle my drink with weeping;
And that because of thine indignation and wrath, for thou hast taken me up, and cast me away.
My days are gone like a shadow, and I am withered like grass.
¶ But thou, O LORD, endurest for ever, and thy remembrance thorowout all generations.
Arise therefore and have mercy upon Sion, for it is time to have mercy upon her, yea, the time is come.
And why? thy servants have a love to her stones, and it pitieth them to see her in the dust.
The Heathen shall fear thy name, O LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy majesty.
For the LORD shall build up Sion, and shall appear in his glory.
He turneth him to the prayer of the poor destitute, and despiseth not their desire.
This shall be written for those that come after, that the people which shall be born, may praise the LORD.
For he looketh down from his Sanctuary, out of the heaven doth the LORD behold the earth.
That he may hear the mournings of such as be in captivity, and deliver the children of death.
That they may preach the name of the LORD in Sion, and his worship at Ierusalem.
When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms also to serve the LORD.
¶ He hath brought down my strength in my journey, and shortened my days.
Yet will I say: O my God, take me not away in the middest of my age: as for thy years, they endure thorowout all generations.
Thou LORD in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of thy hands.
They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: they all shall wax old as doth a garment, and as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed.
But thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall prosper in thy sight.
Praise the Everlasting Lord for His Faithful Word.