A prayer for someone who is suffering. This is for when they feel weak and want to tell their complaints to the Lord.
<1> Lord, hear my prayer.
Listen to my cry for help.
<2> Don't turn away from me
when I have troubles.
Listen to me.
When I cry for help, answer me quickly.
<3> My life is passing away like smoke.
My life is like a fire slowly burning out.
<4> My strength is gone-
I am like dry, dying grass.
I even forget to eat.
<5> Because of my sadness, I am losing so much weight
that my skin hangs from my bones.
<6> I am lonely, like an owl
living in the desert.
I am alone, like an owl
living among old ruined buildings.
<7> I cannot sleep.
I am like a lonely bird on a roof.
<8> My enemies insult me all the time.
They make fun of me and use me as an example in their curses.
<9> My great sadness is my only food.
My tears fall into my drink.
<10> You were angry with me,
so you picked me up and threw me away.
<11> My life is almost finished,
like the long shadows at the end of the day.
I am like dry and dying grass.
<12> But you, Lord, will rule as king forever!
Your name will continue forever and ever!
<13> You will rise up and comfort Zion.[536]
The time has come for you to be kind to Zion.
<14> Your servants love her stones.
They love even the dust of that city!
<15> The nations will worship the Lord's name.
All the kings on earth will honor you.
<16> The Lord will rebuild Zion,
and people will again see her glory.[537]
<17> He will listen to the prayers of those in poverty.
He will not ignore them.
<18> Write these things for future generations,
so they will praise the Lord.
<19> The Lord will look down from his Holy Place above.
He will look down at the earth from heaven.
<20> And he will hear the prisoner's prayers.
He will free those who were condemned to die.
<21> Then people in Zion will tell about the Lord.
They will praise his name in Jerusalem
<22> when nations gather together,
and kingdoms come to serve the Lord.
<23> My strength failed me.
My life is cut short.
<24> So I said, "Don't let me die while I am still young.
God, you will live forever and ever!
<25> Long ago, you made the world.
You made the sky with your own hands!
<26> The earth and sky will end,
but you will live forever!
They will wear out like clothes,
and like clothes, you will change them.
They will all be changed,
<27> but you never change.
You will live forever!
<28> We are your servants today.
Our children will live here,
and their descendants will come here to worship you."
© Copyright 2004 World Bible Translation Center.