1. A prayer of the afflicted one, when he is faint and pours out his lament before Adonai:
2. Adonai, hear my prayer, let my cry come to You.
3. Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my distress. Turn Your ear to me— in the day I call, answer me quickly.
4. For my days vanished like smoke, and my bones were burned like coals.
5. My heart is stricken and withered like grass, so that I even forget to eat my bread.
6. Because of the sound of my groaning, my bones cling to my flesh.
7. I am like a pelican of the desert, like an owl of the waste places.
8. I lie awake, like a lonely bird on a roof.
9. My enemies taunt me all day. My deriders use my name to curse.
10. For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mixed my drink with tears—
11. because of Your indignation and wrath, for You have picked me up and tossed me aside.
12. My days are like a lengthening shadow, and I wither away like grass.
13. But You, Adonai, sit enthroned forever. Your renown is from generation to generation.
14. You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her, for the appointed time has come,
15. for her stones are dear to Your servants, and they cherish her dust.