day 20 : mor ning pray er
102

Domine, exaudi

1  Hear my prayer, O Lord, *
and let my cry come unto you.
2  Hide not your face from me in the time of my trouble; *
incline your ear to me when I call; O hear me, 
and very soon.
3  For my days are consumed like smoke, *
and my bones are burnt up as in a furnace.
4  My heart is smitten and withered like grass, *
so that I forget to eat my bread.
5  Because of the voice of my groaning, *
my bones will scarcely cleave to my flesh.
6  I have become like an owl in the wilderness *
and like a screech-owl among the ruins.
7  I am solitary, and lie sleepless because of my groaning; *
I am like a sparrow that sits alone upon the housetop.
8  My enemies revile me all day long, *
and those who are enraged against me conspire 
to do me hurt.
9  For I have eaten ashes as if they were bread *
and mingled my drink with weeping,
10  Because of your indignation and wrath, *
for you have taken me up and cast me down.
11  My days are gone like a shadow, *
and I am withered like grass.
12  But you, O Lord, shall endure for ever, *
and your remembrance throughout all generations.
13  You shall arise and have mercy upon Zion, *
for it is time for you to have mercy upon her; indeed, 
the time has come.
   401

14  For your servants love her very stones, *
and are moved to pity to see her in the dust.
15  The nations shall fear your Name, O Lord, *
and all the kings of the earth your majesty,
16  When the Lord shall build up Zion, *
and when his glory shall appear,
17  When he turns to the prayer of the destitute *
and despises not their plea.
18  This shall be written for those that come after, *
and a people that shall yet be born shall praise the Lord.
19  For he has looked down from his sanctuary; *
from the heavens the Lord has beheld the earth,
20  That he might hear the groanings of those
  who are in captivity, *
and deliver those who are condemned to die,
21  That they may declare the Name of the Lord in Zion, *
and his praises in Jerusalem;
22  When the peoples are gathered together, *
and the kingdoms also, to serve the Lord.
23  He brought down my strength before my time, *
and shortened my days.
24  But I said, “O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days; *
for your years endure throughout all generations.”
25  You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, *
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26  They shall perish, but you shall endure; *
they all shall wear out, as does a garment;
27  And as a garment you shall change them, and they shall
  be changed; *
but you are the same, and your years shall not fail.
28  The children of your servants shall continue, *
and their seed shall stand fast in your sight.