102:11 My days are coming to an end, 1
and I am withered like grass.
102:12 But you, O Lord, rule forever, 2
and your reputation endures. 3
102:13 You will rise up and have compassion on Zion. 4
For it is time to have mercy on her,
for the appointed time has come.
102:14 Indeed, 5 your servants take delight in her stones,
and feel compassion for 6 the dust of her ruins. 7
102:15 The nations will respect the reputation of the Lord, 8
and all the kings of the earth will respect 9 his splendor,
102:16 when the Lord rebuilds Zion,
and reveals his splendor,
102:17 when he responds to the prayer of the destitute, 10
and does not reject 11 their request. 12
102:18 The account of his intervention 13 will be recorded for future generations;
people yet to be born will praise the Lord.
102:19 For he will look down from his sanctuary above; 14
from heaven the Lord will look toward earth, 15
102:20 in order to hear the painful cries of the prisoners,
and to set free those condemned to die, 16
102:21 so they may proclaim the name of the Lord in Zion,
and praise him 17 in Jerusalem, 18
102:22 when the nations gather together,
and the kingdoms pay tribute to the Lord. 19
102:23 He has taken away my strength in the middle of life; 20
he has cut short my days.
102:24 I say, “O my God, please do not take me away in the middle of my life! 21
You endure through all generations. 22
102:25 In earlier times you established the earth;
the skies are your handiwork.
102:26 They will perish,
but you will endure. 23
They will wear out like a garment;
like clothes you will remove them and they will disappear. 24
102:27 But you remain; 25
your years do not come to an end.
102:28 The children of your servants will settle down here,
and their descendants 26 will live securely in your presence.” 27