Do Not Hide Your Face from Me
O Yahweh, hear my prayer! Yes, let my cry for help come to you!
Do not hide your face from me in my time of distress. Incline your ear to me. Answer me quickly at the time when I call.
For my days have vanished in smoke. And my bones have been scorched like a hearth.
My heart has been struck dead like grass and it has withered away, indeed, I forgot to eat my bread.
Because of the sound of my groaning, my bones cling to my flesh.
I resemble a desert owl in the wilderness. I have become like an owl of the waste places.
I lie awake, and have become like a lonely bird on the housetop.
My enemies reproach me all day long. Those who have made a mockery of me use my name as a curse.
For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mixed my drink with weeping
because of your indignation and your wrath, for you have taken me up and cast me away.
My days are like a lengthened shadow and I wither away like grass.
But you, O Yahweh, will remain forever; and you will be mentioned from generation to generation.
You will arise and have compassion on Zion; for it is time to show favor to her, for the appointed time has come.
For your servants take pleasure in her stones and have compassion on her dust.
So the nations will fear the name of Yahweh, yes, all the kings of the earth will fear your glory.
For Yahweh has built up Zion. He has appeared in his glory.
He has turned toward the prayer of the destitute person and has not despised their prayer.
Let this be written for the generation to come, that a people who will be created will praise Yah.
For he has looked down from his holy height; from heaven Yahweh looked over the earth,
to hear the groaning of the prisoner; to free the children of death,
that they may declare the name of Yahweh in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem,
when the peoples are gathered together, yes, the kingdoms, to serve Yahweh.
He weakened my strength on the road; he shortened my days.
I say, “My God, do not cut me off in the midst of my days. Your years are throughout all generations.
Of old you established the earth. And the heavens are the work of your hands.
They will perish, but you will endure. Yes, all of them will wear out like a garment. You will change them like clothing, and they will pass on.
But you are the same. And your years will not come to an end.
The children of your servants will live on, yes, their seed will be established before you.”