A thin thread of smoke rising from a small dead cooking fire on a flat stone, thinning to nothing in a huge pale gray sky.

Lament

Psalm 102

For the day you are too tired to pray well. The title makes room for you: “when he grows faint.”

28 verses≈ 3 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

1–41Book IDavid's prayers: 'The LORD is my shepherd'
42–72Book II'As the deer pants'; the throne under pressure
73–89Book IIIAsaph and Korah: the kingdom falls
90–106Book IVBack to Moses: the LORD reignsPsalm 102
107–150Book VSongs of ascents, and the last Hallelujah

The Prayer of the Afflicted

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.

Do not hide Your face from me

in my day of distress.

Incline Your ear to me;

answer me quickly when I call.

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All day long my enemies taunt me;

they ridicule me and curse me.

For I have eaten ashes like bread

and mixed my drink with tears

Late sun on a field of withered yellow grass, one dry stalk's shadow lying very long across the cracked ground.

because of Your indignation and wrath,

for You have picked me up and cast me aside.

My days are like lengthening shadows,

and I wither away like grass.

Reflect

Which line is yours?

Smoke, embers, grass, a lone bird, a long shadow. Which line here says how it is with you? Write it down, and then say it to Him.

You will rise up and have compassion on Zion,

for it is time to show her favor—

the appointed time has come.

For Your servants delight in her stones

and take pity on her dust.

So the nations will fear the name of the LORD,

and all the kings of the earth will fear Your glory.

For the LORD will rebuild Zion;

He has appeared in His glory.

He will turn toward the prayer of the destitute;

He will not despise their prayer.

a people not yet created may praise the LORD

Pray

Pray it for someone

Think of someone who can’t pray today. Pray verses 1 and 2 for them, by name: “Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come before You.” Amen.

He has broken my strength on the way;

He has cut short my days.

I say: “O my God, do not take me in the midst of my days!

Your years go on through all generations.

The Milky Way wheeling over bare foundation rock on a moonless night, the deep sky filling the frame, the ground a thin black edge.

In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth,

and the heavens are the work of Your hands.

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.

But You remain the same,

and Your years will never end.

0:18

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

The children of Your servants will dwell securely,

and their descendants will be established before You.”

You’ve experienced

Psalm 102

0 of 150 psalms read

A verse to carry with you

But You remain the same, and Your years will never end.

Psalm 102:27

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