Psalm 102

Abraham Coles

3 Make haste to answer, for my days
Have vanished into smoke;
My fevered bones cease not to burn,
And fiery pangs provoke.

4 My heart is smitten, like the grass
All withered, scorched, and dried;
For I forget to eat my bread,
By groans preoccupied.

5 So lean, my skin cleaves to my bones,
I solitary moan,
6 Like pelican in the wilderness,
Like owl 'mid ruins lone;

7 Like sparrow on the house-top, I
Unsleeping sit forlorn;
8 While all day long my maddened foes
Belch curses mixed with scorn.

9 Sitting in sackcloth, ashes vile
I eaten have like bread;
My tears have mingled with my drink,
10 For Thy displeasure shed.

As by the whirlwind taken up,
Thou hast me borne away:
11 My life is as the lengthened shade
That marks the close of day.

12 I withered am like grass, but Thou
Forever shalt endure;
And to all generations, Lord!
Is Thy remembrance sure.

13 Thou wilt arise and Zion build;
For the set time and right
14 Is when Thy servants love her stones,
And in her dust delight.

15 So shall the nations fear Thy Name;
All kings Thy greatness own;
16 Because the Lord has Zion built,
And made His glory known;

17 And stooped to hear the destitute,
Despising not their prayer —
18 The grace of which the written page
To after times shall bear.

19 Jehovah looked down from the height
Of heaven itself to hear
20 The groaning of the prisoner
And loose him from his fear;

21 That men in Zion might declare
His pity to the race,
22 When gathered at Jerusalem
The kingdoms seek His face.

23 My strength He weakened in the way;
My days He has made few:
24 I said, "Remove me not, my God,
Before my life's half through!

"Thy years are endless; grudge me not
The remnant of my term —
Thou art the Everlasting God
And I am but a worm!"

25 Of old hast Thou, Almighty One!
The earth's foundation laid;
The heavens the work are of Thy hands,
And are by Thee upstayed.

26 While they shall perish, Thou shalt last —
These, like a garment worn,
Thou wilt put off, new dress to wear
On that eternal morn.

27 But Thou art evermore the same,
Thy years shall have no end;
28 Thy servants shall endure, their seed
Prosperity attend.