1[A prayer by someone who is suffering, when he is weary and pours out his troubles in the LORD's presence.] O LORD, hear my prayer, and let my cry for help come to you.

2Do not hide your face from me when I am in trouble. Turn your ear toward me. Answer me quickly when I call.

3My days disappear like smoke. My bones burn like hot coals.

4My heart is beaten down and withered like grass because I have forgotten about eating.

5I am nothing but skin and bones because of my loud groans.

6I am like a desert owl, like an owl living in the ruins.

7I lie awake. I am like a lonely bird on a rooftop.

8All day long my enemies insult me. Those who ridicule me use my name as a curse.

9I eat ashes like bread and my tears are mixed with my drink

10because of your hostility and anger, because you have picked me up and thrown me away.

11My days are like a shadow that is getting longer, and I wither away like grass.

12But you, O LORD, remain forever. You are remembered throughout every generation.

13You will rise and have compassion on Zion, because it is time to grant a favor to it. Indeed, the appointed time has come.

14Your servants value Zion's stones, and they pity its rubble.

15The nations will fear the LORD's name. All the kings of the earth will fear your glory.

16When the LORD builds Zion, he will appear in his glory.

17He will turn his attention to the prayers of those who have been abandoned. He will not despise their prayers.

18This will be written down for a future generation so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD:

19"The LORD looked down from his holy place high above. From heaven he looked at the earth.

20He heard the groans of the prisoners and set free those who were condemned to death.

21The LORD's name is announced in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem

22when nations and kingdoms gather to worship the LORD."

23He has weakened my strength along the way. He has reduced [the number of] my days.

24I said, "My God, don't take me now in the middle of my life. Your years [continue on] throughout every generation.

25Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth. Even the heavens are the works of your hands.

26They will come to an end, but you will still go on. They will all wear out like clothing. You will change them like clothes, and they will be thrown away.

27But you remain the same, and your life will never end.

28The children of your servants will go on living [here]. Their descendants will be secure in your presence."