A prayer of the afflicted when he grows enfeebled and pours his complaint before the LORD.1O LORD, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you.2Do not hide your face from me in my day of distress; incline your ear to me; answer me quickly on the day I call.3For my days are finished in smoke, and my bones are scorched like burning.4It is struck down like vegetation, and my heart withers, because I forget to eat my food.5From the sound of my sighing my bone clings to my flesh.6I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I have become like an owl of the desolations.7I keep watch and have become like a solitary bird upon the roof.8All the day my enemies taunt me; those who boast against me swear oaths.9For I have eaten ashes as my food, and I have mixed my drink with weeping.10Because of your indignation and your wrath, for you have lifted me up and cast me away.11My days are like a stretched shadow, and I wither like vegetation.12But you, the LORD, will dwell forever, and your memorial endures from generation to generation.13You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for the time to show her favor has come, yes, the appointed time has come.14For your servants take pleasure in her stones and show favor to her dust.15Nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory.16For the LORD has built Zion; he has appeared in his glory.17He has turned to the prayer of the destitute and has not despised their prayer.18Let this be written for the last generation, that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD.19For the LORD looks down from the height of his holiness; from heaven he looks upon the earth.20To hear the groaning of the prisoner, to set free those appointed to death.21To declare the name of the LORD in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem.22When peoples are gathered together and kingdoms assemble to serve the LORD.23He has afflicted my strength in the way, and he has shortened my days.24I say, O my God, do not take me away in the midst of my days; your years endure throughout all generations.25Of old you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.26They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment; like clothing you will change them and they will pass away.27But you are the same, and your years will never end.28The children of your servants will dwell, and their offspring will be established before you.