PSALMS - Chapter 102

A Prayer of the Afflicted, When He is Overwhelmed and Pours Out His Complaint Before YAHWEH

Hear my prayer, O YAHWEH, and let my cry come to you. Do not hide your face from me in the day of my trouble; incline your ear to me; in the day that I call, answer me speedily. For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned like a hearth. My heart is stricken and withered like grass, so that I forget to eat my bread.

Because of the sound of my groaning my bones cling to my skin. I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am like an owl of the desert. I lie awake, and am like a sparrow alone on the housetop.

My enemies reproach me all day long; those who deride me swear an oath against me. For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping, because of your indignation and your wrath; for you have lifted me up and cast me away.

My days are like a shadow that lengthens, and I wither away like grass. But you, O YAHWEH, shall endure forever, and the remembrance of your name to all generations. You will arise and have mercy on Zion; for the time to favor her, yes, the set time, has come. For your servants take pleasure in her stones, and show favor to her dust. So the nations shall fear the name of YAHWEH, and all the kings of the earth your glory.

For YAHWEH shall build up Zion; He shall appear in His glory. He shall regard the prayer of the destitute, and shall not despise their prayer. This will be written for the generation to come, that a people yet to be created may praise YAHWEH.

For He looked down from the height of His sanctuary; from heaven YAHWEH viewed the earth, to hear the groaning of the prisoner, to release those appointed to death, to declare the name of YAHWEH in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem, when the peoples are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve YAHWEH.

He weakened my strength in the way; He shortened my days. I said, "O my Elohim, do not take me away in the midst of my days; your years are throughout all generations. Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will endure; yes, they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak you will change them, and they will be changed.

But you are the same, and your years will have no end. The children of your servants will continue, and their descendants will be established before you."

Chapter 103

A Psalm of David

Bless YAHWEH, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!

Bless YAHWEH, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

YAHWEH executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.

YAHWEH is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

As a father pities his children, so YAHWEH pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.

But the mercy of YAHWEH is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children, to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them.

YAHWEH has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.

Bless YAHWEH, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word.

Bless YAHWEH, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure.

Bless YAHWEH, all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless YAHWEH, O my soul!

AN ADDED TREAT!

Thank you to those individuals making their music available to all for our Father's glorification!

HalleluYah!