1Lord, please hear my prayer, my cry for help!

2Don't hide your face from me in my time of trouble! Turn and listen to me, and answer me quickly when I call.

3My life is disappearing like smoke; my body feels like it's on fire!

4I'm like grass that's dried up, withered away—I even forget to eat!

5All my groaning has worn me out; my bones show through my skin.

6I'm like a desert owl, ³⁴¹like a little owl among the ruins.

7I can't sleep. I'm like a lonely bird on a rooftop.

8My enemies taunt me all day long. They mock me and swear at me.

9Ashes are the food I eat; my tears drip into my drink,

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

11My life is fading away like a shadow that lengthens—I'm withering away like grass.

12But you, Lord, reign ³⁴²forever, your fame will last for all generations.

13You will take action and have pity on Jerusalem, for it's time to be kind to the city, the time has come.

14For the people who follow you love its stones; they value even its dust!

15Then the nations will be in awe of who you are, Lord; all the kings of the earth will be in awe of your glory.

16For the Lord will rebuild Jerusalem; he will appear in glory.

17He will pay attention to the prayers of the homeless; he will not disregard their requests.

18Let this be recorded for generations to come, so that people yet to be born may praise the Lord:

19The Lord looked down from above, from the heights of his holy place; he looked down from heaven to the earth,

20to respond to the groans of prisoners, to set free the children of death. ³⁴³

21As a result ³⁴⁴the wonderful nature of the Lord will be celebrated with praise in Jerusalem,

22when the people of many kingdoms gather together to worship the Lord.

23But as for me, ³⁴⁵he broke my health while I was still young, cutting my life short.

24I cried out, “My God, don't take my life while I'm young! You are the one who lives forever.

25Long ago you created the earth; you made the heavens.

26They will come to an end, but you will not. They will all wear out, like clothes—you will change them, and throw them away.

27But you are the one who always is; ³⁴⁶your years never come to an end.

28Our children will live with you, and our children's children will grow in your presence.”