Psalms

A collection of songs and prayers expressing a wide range of emotions and thoughts on faith.

Chapter 102

1 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.

*Listen to my request, God, and receive my call.

2 Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.

*Don't hide from me when I need help; listen to my voice: when I call, answer me quickly.

3 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.

*My life goes quickly, like smoke disappearing, and my bones feel like they're burning like a fireplace.

4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.

*My heart is deeply saddened and weak, like wilted grass, making me forget to eat my food.

5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.

*Because I cry out in pain, my skin is tightly attached to my bones.

6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.

*I'm like a wild pelican: I'm also like a desert owl.

7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.

*I look, and I'm like a lonely sparrow on the roof.

8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.

*My enemies mock me every day, and those who are crazy hate me and have promised to fight against me.

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

*For I ate plain bread, like ashes, and mixed my drink with tears.

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

*Because of your anger and your fury: for you have raised me up and thrown me down.

11 My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.

*My days act like a shrinking shadow; and I'm as dry as wilted grass.

12 But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.

*But you, Lord, will last forever; and people will remember you always.

13 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.

*You shall rise and show mercy to Zion, because the time of favoring her, indeed the appointed time, has arrived.

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

*For your helpers enjoy her rocks, and like the dirt from there.

15 So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.

*So non-believers will respect God's name, and all the world's kings will see your greatness.

16 When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.

*When God rebuilds Zion, he will show his greatness.

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

*He will listen to the prayers of those in need and won't disrespect their prayers.

18 This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.

*This means: This will be recorded for future generations: and the new people made will honor the LORD.

19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;

*He looked down from his holy place in heaven, and the Lord saw the Earth from above.

20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;

*To listen to the cries of those locked up; to free those who are meant to be executed;

21 To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;

*To say who God is in Zion and how great he is in Jerusalem;

22 When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.

*When everyone comes together, from many places, they all serve God.

23 He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.

*He made me feel weak while I was traveling; he reduced the length of my life.

24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.

*I said, "Oh my God, don't let me die early; you exist in every generation."

25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.

*Long ago, you created the Earth's foundation, and the heavens were made by your hands.

26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:

*They will disappear, but you will last. Yes, everyone will grow old like clothing; you will replace them, and they will be replaced.

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

*But you stay the same, and your time will never run out.

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

*Your servants' kids will keep going, and their descendants will be firmly set in front of you.

read summary

Back to Chapters

Back to Books

* work in progress, there will be mistakes