102:6 I am like an owl 1 in the wilderness;
I am like a screech owl 2 among the ruins. 3
102:7 I stay awake; 4
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. 5
102:9 For I eat ashes as if they were bread, 6
and mix my drink with my tears, 7
102:10 because of your anger and raging fury.
Indeed, 8 you pick me up and throw me away.
102:11 My days are coming to an end, 9
and I am withered like grass.
102:12 But you, O Lord, rule forever, 10
and your reputation endures. 11
102:13 You will rise up and have compassion on Zion. 12
For it is time to have mercy on her,
for the appointed time has come.
102:14 Indeed, 13 your servants take delight in her stones,
and feel compassion for 14 the dust of her ruins. 15
102:15 The nations will respect the reputation of the Lord, 16
and all the kings of the earth will respect 17 his splendor,
102:16 when the Lord rebuilds Zion,
and reveals his splendor,
102:17 when he responds to the prayer of the destitute, 18
and does not reject 19 their request. 20
102:18 The account of his intervention 21 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; 22
from heaven the Lord will look toward earth, 23
102:20 in order to hear the painful cries of the prisoners,
and to set free those condemned to die, 24
102:21 so they may proclaim the name of the Lord in Zion,
and praise him 25 in Jerusalem, 26
102:22 when the nations gather together,
and the kingdoms pay tribute to the Lord. 27
102:23 He has taken away my strength in the middle of life; 28
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! 29
You endure through all generations. 30
102:25 In earlier times you established the earth;
the skies are your handiwork.
102:26 They will perish,
but you will endure. 31
They will wear out like a garment;
like clothes you will remove them and they will disappear. 32
102:27 But you remain; 33
your years do not come to an end.
102:28 The children of your servants will settle down here,
and their descendants 34 will live securely in your presence.” 35