The prayer of an oppressed man, as he grows faint and pours out his lament before the Lord.
102:1 O Lord, hear my prayer!
Pay attention to my cry for help! 2
102:2 Do not ignore me in my time of trouble! 3
Listen to me! 4
When I call out to you, quickly answer me!
102:3 For my days go up in smoke, 5
and my bones are charred like a fireplace. 6
102:4 My heart is parched 7 and withered like grass,
for I am unable 8 to eat food. 9
102:5 Because of the anxiety that makes me groan,
my bones protrude from my skin. 10
102:6 I am like an owl 11 in the wilderness;
I am like a screech owl 12 among the ruins. 13
102:7 I stay awake; 14
I am like a solitary bird on a roof.
102:8 All day long my enemies taunt me;
those who mock me use my name in their curses. 15
102:9 For I eat ashes as if they were bread, 16
and mix my drink with my tears, 17