International Standard Version

English Standard Version

1LORD, hear my prayer! May my cry for help come to you.

1Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry come to you!

2Do not hide your face from me when I am in trouble. Listen to me. When I call to out you, hurry to answer me!

2Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress! Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call!

3For my days are vanishing like smoke; my bones are charred as in a fireplace.

3For my days pass away like smoke, and my bones burn like a furnace.

4Withered like grass, my heart is overwhelmed, and I have even forgotten to eat my food.

4My heart is struck down like grass and has withered; I forget to eat my bread.

5Because of the sound of my sighing, my bones cling to my skin.

5Because of my loud groaning my bones cling to my flesh.

6I resemble a pelican in the wilderness or an owl in a desolate land.

6I am like a desert owl of the wilderness, like an owl of the waste places;

7I lie awake, yet I am like a bird isolated on a rooftop.

7I lie awake; I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop.

8My enemies revile me all day long; those who ridicule me use my name to curse.

8All the day my enemies taunt me; those who deride me use my name for a curse.

9I have eaten ashes as food and mixed my drink with tears

9For I eat ashes like bread and mingle tears with my drink,

10because of your indignation and wrath, when you lifted and threw me away.

10because of your indignation and anger; for you have taken me up and thrown me down.

11My life is like a declining shadow, and I am withering like a plant.

11My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass.

12But you, LORD, are enthroned forever; You are remembered throughout all generations.

12But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever; you are remembered throughout all generations.

13You will arise to extend compassion on Zion, for it is time to show her favor— the appointed time has come.

13You will arise and have pity on Zion; it is the time to favor her; the appointed time has come.

14Your servants take pleasure in its stones and delight in its debris.

14For your servants hold her stones dear and have pity on her dust.

15Nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth, your splendor.

15Nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory.

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

16For the LORD builds up Zion; he appears in his glory;

17He will turn to the prayer of the destitute, not despising their prayer.

17he regards the prayer of the destitute and does not despise their prayer.

18Write this for the next generation, that a people yet to be created will praise the LORD.

18Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD:

19For when he looked down from his holy heights— the LORD looked over the earth from heaven—

19that he looked down from his holy height; from heaven the LORD looked at the earth,

20to listen to the groans of prisoners, to set free those condemned to death,

20to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die,

21so they would declare the name of the LORD in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem,

21that they may declare in Zion the name of the LORD, and in Jerusalem his praise,

22when people and kingdoms gather together to serve the LORD.

22when peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to worship the LORD.

23He has weakened my strength along the way. He has cut short my days.

23He has broken my strength in midcourse; he has shortened my days.

24I say, "My God, whose years continue through all generations, do not take me in the middle of my life.

24“O my God,” I say, “take me not away in the midst of my days— you whose years endure throughout all generations!”

25You established the earth long ago; the heavens are the work of your hands.

25Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

26They will perish, but you will remain; and they all will become worn out, like a garment. You will change them like clothing, and they will pass away.

26They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away,

27But you remain the same; your years never end.

27but you are the same, and your years have no end.

28May the descendants of your servants live securely, and may their children be established in your presence."

28The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you.

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.