¹² But you, Lord, rule forever!
    Your fame lasts from one generation to the next!
¹³ You will stand up—
        you’ll have compassion on Zion
        because it is time to have mercy on her—
    the time set for that has now come!
¹⁴ Your servants cherish Zion’s stones;
    they show mercy even to her dirt.
¹⁵ The nations will honor the Lord’s name;
    all the earth’s rulers will honor your glory
¹⁶     because the Lord will rebuild Zion;
    he will be seen there in his glory.
¹⁷ God will turn to the prayer of the impoverished;
    he won’t despise their prayers.

¹⁸ Let this be written down for the next generation
    so that people not yet created will praise the Lord:
¹⁹     The Lord looked down from his holy summit,
        surveyed the earth from heaven,
²⁰         to hear the prisoners’ groans,
        to set free those condemned to death,
²¹         that the Lord’s name may be declared in Zion
        and his praise declared in Jerusalem,
²²         when all people are gathered together—
        all kingdoms—to serve the Lord.

²³ God broke my strength in midstride,
    cutting my days short.
²⁴ I said, “My God, don’t take me away in the prime of life—
    your years go on from one generation to the next!
²⁵ You laid the earth’s foundations long ago;
    the skies are your handiwork.
²⁶ These things will pass away, but you will last.
    All of these things will wear out like clothing;
    you change them like clothes, and they pass on.
²⁷ But you are the one!
    Your years never end!
²⁸ Let your servants’ children live safe;
    let your servants’ descendants live secure in your presence.”