1 A Prayer of the afflicted when he is feeble, and before Jehovah poureth out his plaint. O Jehovah, hear my prayer, yea, my cry to Thee cometh.

2 H ide not Thou Thy face from me, In a day of mine adversity, Incline unto me Thine ear, In the day I call, haste, answer me.

3 F or consumed in smoke have been my days, And my bones as a fire-brand have burned.

4 S mitten as the herb, and withered, is my heart, For I have forgotten to eat my bread.

5 F rom the voice of my sighing Hath my bone cleaved to my flesh.

6 I have been like to a pelican of the wilderness, I have been as an owl of the dry places.

7 I have watched, and I am As a bird alone on the roof.

8 A ll the day mine enemies reproached me, Those mad at me have sworn against me.

9 B ecause ashes as bread I have eaten, And my drink with weeping have mingled,

10 F rom Thine indignation and Thy wrath, For Thou hast lifted me up, And dost cast me down.

11 M y days as a shadow stretched out, And I -- as the herb I am withered.

12 A nd Thou, O Jehovah, to the age abidest, And Thy memorial to all generations.

13 T hou -- Thou risest -- Thou pitiest Zion, For the time to favour her, For the appointed time hath come.

14 F or Thy servants have been pleased with her stones, And her dust they favour.

15 A nd nations fear the name of Jehovah, And all kings of the earth Thine honour,

16 F or Jehovah hath builded Zion, He hath been seen in His honour,

17 H e turned unto the prayer of the destitute, And He hath not despised their prayer.

18 T his is written for a later generation, And the people created do praise Jah.

19 F or He hath looked From the high place of His sanctuary. Jehovah from heaven unto earth looked attentively,

20 T o hear the groan of the prisoner, To loose sons of death,

21 T o declare in Zion the name of Jehovah, And His praise in Jerusalem,

22 I n the peoples being gathered together, And the kingdoms -- to serve Jehovah.

23 H e hath humbled in the way my power, He hath shortened my days.

24 I say, `My God, take me not up in the midst of my days,' Through all generations Thine years.

25 B eforetime the earth Thou didst found, And the work of Thy hands the heavens.

26 T hey -- They perish, and Thou remainest, And all of them as a garment become old, As clothing Thou changest them, And they are changed.

27 A nd Thou the same, and Thine years are not finished.

28 T he sons of Thy servants do continue, And their seed before Thee is established!