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1.
A prayer of an afflicted man. When he is faint and pours out his lament before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come to you.
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2.
Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly.
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3.
For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers.
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4.
My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food.
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5.
Because of my loud groaning I am reduced to skin and bones.
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6.
I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins.
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7.
I lie awake; I have become like a bird alone on a roof.
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8.
All day long my enemies taunt me; those who rail against me use my name as a curse.
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9.
For I eat ashes as my food and mingle my drink with tears
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10.
because of your great wrath, for you have taken me up and thrown me aside.
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11.
My days are like the evening shadow; I wither away like grass.
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12.
But you, O LORD, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations.
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13.
You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come.
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14.
For her stones are dear to your servants; her very dust moves them to pity.
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15.
The nations will fear the name of the LORD, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.
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16.
For the LORD will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory.
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17.
He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea.
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18.
Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD:
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19.
"The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth,
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20.
to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death."
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21.
So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem
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22.
when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the LORD.
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23.
In the course of my life he broke my strength; he cut short my days.
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24.
So I said: "Do not take me away, O my God, in the midst of my days; your years go on through all generations.
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25.
In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.
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26.
They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded.
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27.
But you remain the same, and your years will never end.
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28.
The children of your servants will live in your presence; their descendants will be established before you."
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