1  Hear my prayer, O LORD, 
   and let my cry come unto thee.
 Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble;
   incline thine ear unto me: 
   in the day when I call answer me speedily.
 For my days are consumed like smoke, 
   and my bones are burned as an hearth.
 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; 
   so that I forget to eat my bread.
 By reason of the voice of my groaning 
   my bones cleave to my skin, O Lord!.
 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: 
   I am like an owl of the desert.
 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
 ... 
 For I have eaten ashes like bread, 
   and mingled my drink with weeping,
 ... 
My days are like a shadow that declineth; 
   and I am withered like grass.
 ...