1. Hear my prayer, Lord;let my cry for help come to you.
2. Do not hide your face from mewhen I am in distress.Turn your ear to me;when I call, answer me quickly.
3. For my days vanish like smoke;my bones burn like glowing embers.
4. My heart is blighted and withered like grass;I forget to eat my food.
5. In my distress I groan aloudand am reduced to skin and bones.
6. I am like a desert owl,like an owl among the ruins.
7. I lie awake; I have becomelike a bird alone on a roof.
8. All day long my enemies taunt me;those who rail against me use my name as a curse.
9. For I eat ashes as my foodand mingle my drink with tears