The Prayer of the Afflicted 1 CPDV The prayer of the pauper, when he was anxious, and so he poured out his petition in the sight of the Lord. O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my outcry reach you. BSB BSB: A prayer of one who is afflicted, when he grows faint and pours out his lament before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come before You.
2 CPDV Do not turn your face away from me. In whatever day that I am in trouble, incline your ear to me. In whatever day that I will call upon you, heed me quickly. BSB BSB: Do not hide Your face from me in my day of distress. Incline Your ear to me; answer me quickly when I call.
3 CPDV For my days have faded away like smoke, and my bones have dried out like firewood. BSB BSB: For my days vanish like smoke, and my bones burn like glowing embers.
4 CPDV I have been cut down like hay, and my heart has withered, for I had forgotten to eat my bread. BSB BSB: My heart is afflicted, and withered like grass; I even forget to eat my bread.
5 CPDV Before the voice of my groaning, my bone has adhered to my flesh. BSB BSB: Through my loud groaning my skin hangs on my bones.
6 CPDV I have become like a pelican in solitude. I have become like a night raven in a house. BSB BSB: I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins.
7 CPDV I have kept vigil, and I have become like a solitary sparrow on a roof. BSB BSB: I lie awake; I am like a lone bird on a housetop.
8 CPDV All day long my enemies reproached me, and those who praised me swore oaths against me. BSB BSB: All day long my enemies taunt me; they ridicule me and curse me.
9 CPDV For I chewed on ashes like bread, and I mixed weeping into my drink. BSB BSB: For I have eaten ashes like bread and mixed my drink with tears
10 CPDV By the face of your anger and indignation, you lifted me up and threw me down. BSB BSB: because of Your indignation and wrath, for You have picked me up and cast me aside.
11 CPDV My days have declined like a shadow, and I have dried out like hay. BSB BSB: My days are like lengthening shadows, and I wither away like grass.
12 CPDV But you, O Lord, endure for eternity, and your memorial is from generation to generation. BSB BSB: But You, O LORD, sit enthroned forever; Your renown endures to all generations.
13 CPDV You will rise up and take pity on Zion, for it is time for its mercy, for the time has come. BSB BSB: You will rise up and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show her favor—the appointed time has come.
14 CPDV For its stones have pleased your servants, and they will take pity on its land. BSB BSB: For Your servants delight in her stones and take pity on her dust.
15 CPDV And the Gentiles will fear your name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth your glory. BSB BSB: So the nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth will fear Your glory.
16 CPDV For the Lord has built up Zion, and he will be seen in his glory. BSB BSB: For the LORD will rebuild Zion; He has appeared in His glory.
17 CPDV He has noticed the prayer of the humble, and he has not despised their petition. BSB BSB: He will turn toward the prayer of the destitute; He will not despise their prayer.
18 CPDV Let these things be written in another generation, and the people who will be created will praise the Lord. BSB BSB: Let this be written for the generation to come, so that a people not yet created may praise the LORD.
19 CPDV For he has gazed from his high sanctuary. From heaven, the Lord has beheld the earth. BSB BSB: For He looked down from the heights of His sanctuary; the LORD gazed out from heaven to earth
20 CPDV So may he hear the groans of those in shackles, in order that he may release the sons of the slain. BSB BSB: to hear a prisoner’s groaning, to release those condemned to death,
21 CPDV So may they announce the name of the Lord in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem: BSB BSB: that they may proclaim the name of the LORD in Zion and praise Him in Jerusalem,
22 CPDV while the people convene, along with kings, in order that they may serve the Lord. BSB BSB: when peoples and kingdoms assemble to serve the LORD.
23 CPDV He responded to him in the way of his virtue: Declare to me the brevity of my days. BSB BSB: He has broken my strength on the way; He has cut short my days.
24 CPDV Do not call me back in the middle of my days: your years are from generation to generation. BSB BSB: I say: “O my God, do not take me in the midst of my days! Your years go on through all generations.
26 CPDV They will perish, but you remain. And all will grow old like a garment. And, like a blanket, you will change them, and they will be changed. BSB BSB: They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing You will change them, and they will be passed on.
27 CPDV Yet you are ever yourself, and your years will not decline. BSB BSB: But You remain the same, and Your years will never end.
28 CPDV The sons of your servants will live, and their offspring will be guided aright in every age. BSB BSB: The children of Your servants will dwell securely, and their descendants will be established before You.”
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.