1A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before the LORD. 2Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress. 3For my days consume away like smoke. 4My heart is blighted like grass, and withered, 5By reason of the voice of my groaning, 6I am like a pelican of the wilderness. 7I watch, and have become like a sparrow that is alone on the housetop.ΒΆ 8My enemies reproach me all day. 9For I have eaten ashes like bread, 10Because of your indignation and your wrath, 11My days are like a long shadow. 12But you, LORD, will abide forever; 13You will arise and have mercy on Zion; 14For your servants take pleasure in her stones, 15So the nations will fear the name of the LORD; 16For the LORD has built up Zion. 17He has responded to the prayer of the destitute, 18This will be written for the generation to come. 19For he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary. 20to hear the groans of the prisoner; 21that men may declare the name of the LORD in Zion, 22when the peoples are gathered together, 23He weakened my strength along the course. 24I said, "My God, do not take me away in the midst of my days. 25Of old, you laid the foundation of the earth. 26They will perish, but you will endure. 27But you are the same. 28The children of your servants will continue.