Do Not Hide Your Face From Me
A Prayer for the suffering, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before the LORD.
1 Hear my prayer, Lord!
Let my cry come to you.
2 Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress.
Turn your ear to me.
Answer me quickly in the day when I call.
3 For my days are consumed like smoke.
My bones burn like a torch.
4 My heart wilts like grass and withers.
I forget to eat my bread.
5 I groan, and
my bones stick to my skin.
6 I am like a pelican in the wilderness.
I have become like an owl in the dessert.
7 I watch and have become like a sparrow
that is alone on the housetop.
8 My enemies reproach me all day.
Those who are angry with me use my name as a curse.
9 For I have eaten ashes like bread,
and mixed my drink with tears
10 because of your indignation and your wrath,
for you have picked me up and thrown me away.
11 My days are like a long shadow.
I have withered like grass.
12 But you, O LORD, will remain forever,
your renown endures to all generations.
13 You will arise and have mercy on Zion,
for it is time to have pity on her.
Yes, the set time has come.
14 For your servants take pleasure in her stones,
and have pity on her dust.
15 So the nations will fear the name of the LORD,
all the kings of the earth your glory.
16 When the LORD builds up Zion,
he will appear in his glory.
17 He has responded to the prayer of the destitute,
and has not despised their prayer.
18 This will be written for a generation to come.
A people which will be created will praise the LORD.
19 For he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary.
From heaven, the LORD saw the earth,
20 to hear the groans of the prisoner,
to free those who are condemned to death,
21 that men may declare the name of the LORD in Zion,
and his praise in Jerusalem
22 when the peoples are gathered together,
the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
23 He weakened my strength mid-course.
He shortened my days.
24 I said, “My God, do not take me away in the middle of my life.
You live throughout the years, through all generations.
25 Of old, you laid the foundation of the earth.
The heavens are the work of your hands.
26 They will perish, but you will endure.
Yes, all of them will wear out like a garment.
You will change them like a cloak, and they will be changed.
27 But you are the same.
Your years will have no end.
28 The children of your servants will continue.
Their offspring will be established before you.”