The Prayer of the Afflicted
Psalms 101
Titled a prayer for the poor, this psalm is the cry of one deeply afflicted, whose days vanish like smoke and who compares himself to a pelican, an owl, and a lonely sparrow under the weight of the Lord's anger and his enemies' reproach. It turns to confidence that the Lord will have mercy on Sion and build it up, since he endures forever even as the heavens and earth he made will grow old and change.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
Thomson—
BrentonA Prayer for the Poor; when he is deeply afflicted, and pours out his supplication before the Lord.
GreekΠροσευχὴ τῷ πτωχῷ, ὅταν ἀκηδιάσῃ, καὶ ἐναντίον Κυρίου ἐκχέῃ τὴν δέησιν αὐτοῦ.
KJV—
JPSA Prayer of the afflicted, when he fainteth, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD.
2
ThomsonHEARKEN, O Lord! to my prayer; and let my cry come to Thee.
BrentonHear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come to thee.
GreekΚύριε εἰσάκουσον τῆς προσευχῆς μου, καὶ ἡ κραυγή μου πρὸς σὲ ἐλθέτω.
KJVHear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.
JPSO LORD, hear my prayer, and let my cry come unto Thee.
3
ThomsonTurn not away Thy face from me: on the day of my distress incline Thine ear to me: on the day I call on Thee, answer me speedily.
BrentonTurn not away thy face from me: in the day when I am afflicted, incline thine ear to me: in the day when I shall call upon thee, speedily hear me.
GreekΜὴ ἀποστρέψῃς τὸ πρόσωπόν σου ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ· ἐν ᾗ ἂν ἡμέρᾳ θλίβομαι, κλῖνον πρὸς μὲ τὸ οὖς σου· ἐν ᾗ ἂν ἡμέρᾳ ἐπικαλέσωμαί σε, ταχὺ εἰσάκουσόν μου.
KJVHide 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.
JPSHide not Thy face from me in the day of my distress; incline Thine ear unto me; in the day when I call answer me speedily.
4
ThomsonFor my days have vanished like smoke: and my bones are parched like dry wood. I am cut down like grass:
BrentonFor my days have vanished like smoke, and my bones have been parched like a stick.
GreekὍτι ἐξέλιπον ὡσεὶ καπνὸς αἱ ἡμέραι μου, καὶ τὰ ὀστᾶ μου ὡσεὶ φρύγιον συνεφρύγησαν.
KJVFor my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.
JPSFor my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as a hearth.
5
Thomsonmy heart is withered: because I have forgotten to eat my bread.
BrentonI am blighted like grass, and my heart is dried up; for I have forgotten to eat my bread.
GreekἘπλήγην ὡσεὶ χόρτος, καὶ ἐξηράνθη ἡ καρδία μου, ὅτι ἐπελαθόμην τοῦ φαγεῖν τὸν ἄρτον μου.
KJVMy heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.
JPSMy heart is smitten like grass, and withered; for I forget to eat my bread.
6
ThomsonBy reason of the voice of my groaning my bones have cleaved to my flesh.
BrentonBy reason of the voice of my groaning, my bone has cleaved to my flesh.
GreekἈπὸ φωνῆς τοῦ στεναγμοῦ μου, ἐκολλήθη τὸ ὀστοῦν μου τῇ σαρκί μου.
KJVBy reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.
JPSBy reason of the voice of my sighing My bones cleave to my flesh.
7
ThomsonI am become like a pelican of the desert:
BrentonI have become like a pelican of the wilderness;
GreekὩμοιώθην πελεκᾶνι ἐρημικῷ, ἐγενήθην ὡσεὶ νυκτικόραξ ἐν οἰκοπέδῳ.
KJVI am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.
JPSI am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am become as an owl of the waste places.
8
ThomsonI am like a night-hawk on a ruined building. I have passed sleepless nights; and been like a solitary bird on a house top.
BrentonI have become like an owl in a ruined house. I have watched, and am become as a sparrow dwelling alone on a roof.
GreekἨγρύπνησα, καὶ ἐγενήθην ὡσεὶ στρουθίον μονάζον ἐπὶ δώματι.
KJVI watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
JPSI watch, and am become like a sparrow that is alone upon the housetop.
9
ThomsonAll the day mine enemies reproached me: and they who praise me swore against me.
BrentonAll the day long mine enemies have reproached me; and they that praised me have sworn against me.
GreekὍλην τὴν ἡμέραν ὠνείδιζόν με οἱ ἐχθροί μου, καὶ οἱ ἐπαινοῦντές με κατʼ ἐμοῦ ὤμνυον.
KJVMine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.
JPSMine enemies taunt me all the day; they that are mad against me do curse by me.
10
ThomsonBecause I have eaten ashes as bread and have mingled my drink with tears,
BrentonFor I have eaten ashes as it were bread, and mingled my drink with weeping;
GreekὍτι σποδὸν ὡσεὶ ἄρτον ἔφαγον, καὶ τὸ πόμα μου μετὰ κλαυθμοῦ ἐκίρνων,
KJVFor I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,
JPSFor I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,
11
Thomsonon account of Thine indignation and wrath: (for having lifted me up Thou hast dashed me down).
Brentonbecause of thine anger and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and dashed me down.
Greekἀπὸ προσώπου τῆς ὀργῆς σου καὶ τοῦ θυμοῦ σου, ὅτι ἐπάρας κατέῤῥαξάς με.
KJVBecause of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.
JPSBecause of Thine indignation and Thy wrath; for Thou hast taken me up, and cast me away.
12
ThomsonMy days have flitted away like a shadow; and I am withered like mown grass.
BrentonMy days have declined like a shadow; and I am withered like grass.
GreekΑἱ ἡμέραι μου ὡσεὶ σκιὰ ἐκλίθησαν, κᾀγὼ ὡσεὶ χόρτος ἐξηράνθην.
KJVMy days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.
JPSMy days are like a lengthening shadow; and I am withered like grass.
13
ThomsonBut Thou, O Lord, endurest forever; and the memorial of Thee to all generations.
BrentonBut thou, Lord, endurest for ever, and thy memorial to generation and generation.
GreekΣὺ δέ Κύριε εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα μένεις, καὶ τὸ μνημόσυνόν σου εἰς γενεὰν καὶ γενεάν.
KJVBut thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.
JPSBut Thou, O LORD, sittest enthroned for ever; and Thy name is unto all generations.
14
ThomsonThou wilt arise and have mercy on Sion: for the time to favour her—the set time is come.
BrentonThou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Sion: for it is time to have mercy upon her, for the set time is come.
GreekΣὺ ἀναστὰς οἰκτειρήσεις τὴν Σιὼν, ὅτι καιρὸς τοῦ οἰκτειρῆσαι αὐτὴν, ὅτι ἥκει καιρός.
KJVThou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.
JPSThou wilt arise, and have compassion upon Zion; for it is time to be gracious unto her, for the appointed time is come.
15
Thomson—
BrentonFor thy servants have taken pleasure in her stones, and they shall pity her dust.
GreekὍτι εὐδόκησαν οἱ δοῦλοί σου τοὺς λίθους αὐτῆς, καὶ τὸν χοῦν αὐτῆς οἰκτειρήσουσι.
KJVFor thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.
JPSFor Thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and love her dust.
16
ThomsonAnd the nations shall fear Thy name, O Lord; and all the kings of the earth, Thy glory.
BrentonSo the nations shall fear thy name, O Lord, and all kings thy glory.
GreekΚαὶ φοβηθήσονται τὰ ἔθνη τὸ ὄνομά σου Κύριε, καὶ πάντες οἱ βασιλεῖς τὴν δόξαν σου.
KJVSo the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.
JPSSo the nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth Thy glory;
17
ThomsonFor the Lord will rebuild Sion and appear in His glory.
BrentonFor the Lord shall build up Sion, and shall appear in his glory.
GreekὍτι οἰκοδομήσει Κύριος τὴν Σιὼν, καὶ ὀφθήσεται ἐν τῇ δόξῃ αὐτοῦ.
KJVWhen the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
JPSWhen the LORD hath built up Zion, when He hath appeared in His glory;
18
ThomsonHe hath regarded the prayer of the lowly, and hath not despised their supplication.
BrentonHe has had regard to the prayer of the lowly, and has not despised their petition.
GreekἘπέβλεψεν ἐπὶ τὴν προσευχὴν τῶν ταπεινῶν, καὶ οὐκ ἐξουδένωσε τὴν δέησιν αὐτῶν.
KJVHe will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
JPSWhen He hath regarded the prayer of the destitute, And hath not despised their prayer.
19
ThomsonLet her be enrolled for the generation to come: and the people to be born will praise the Lord:
BrentonLet this be written for another generation; and the people that shall be created shall praise the Lord.
GreekΓραφήτω αὕτη εἰς γενεὰν ἑτέραν, καὶ λαὸς ὁ κτιζόμενος αἰνέσει τὸν Κύριον.
KJVThis shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.
JPSThis shall be written for the generation to come; And a people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.
20
Thomsonbecause He hath looked out from the height of His sanctuary. Out of heaven the Lord looked down on the earth;
BrentonFor he has looked out from the height of his sanctuary; the Lord looked upon the earth from heaven;
GreekὍτι ἐξέκυψεν ἐξ ὕψους ἁγίου αὐτοῦ, Κύριος ἐξ οὐρανοῦ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ἐπέβλεψε,
KJVFor he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;
JPSFor He hath looked down from the height of His sanctuary; From heaven did the LORD behold the earth;
21
Thomsonto hear the groaning of the prisoners; to set free the sons of them who were slain;
Brentonto hear the groaning of the fettered ones, to loosen the sons of the slain;
Greekτοῦ ἀκοῦσαι τοῦ στεναγμοῦ τῶν πεπεδημένων, τοῦ λῦσαι τοὺς υἱοὺς τῶν τεθανατωμένων,
KJV—
JPS—
22
Thomsonto proclaim the name of the Lord in Sion; and His praise in Jerusalem.
Brentonto proclaim the name of the Lord in Sion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
Greekτοῦ ἀναγγεῖλαι ἐν Σιὼν τὸ ὄνομα Κυρίου, καὶ τὴν αἴνεσιν αὐτοῦ ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ·
KJVTo declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
JPSThat men may tell of the name of the LORD in Zion, And His praise in Jerusalem; .
23
ThomsonWhen tribes were assembled together; and kings, to serve the Lord;
Brentonwhen the people are gathered together, and the kings, to serve the Lord.
Greekἐν τῷ συναχθῆναι λαοὺς ἐπιτοαυτὸ, καὶ βασιλεῖς τοῦ δουλεύειν τῷ Κυρίῳ.
KJVWhen the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
JPSWhen the peoples are gathered together, And the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
24
ThomsonHe addressed him in the way of His strength—Shew me the fewness of my days;
BrentonHe answered him in the way of his strength: tell me the fewness of my days.
GreekἈπεκρίθη αὐτῷ ἐν ὁδῷ ἰσχύος αὐτοῦ, τὴν ὀλιγότητα τῶν ἡμερῶν μου ἀνάγγειλόν μοι·
KJVHe weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.
JPSHe weakened my strength in the way; He shortened my days.
25
Thomsoncall me not away in the midst of them; Thy years are throughout all generations.
BrentonTake me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are through all generations.
Greekμὴ ἀναγάγῃς με ἐν ἡμίσει ἡμερῶν μου, ἐν γενεᾷ γενεῶν τὰ ἔτη σου.
KJVI said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.
JPSI say: 'O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days, Thou whose years endure throughout all generations.
26
ThomsonThou Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundations of the earth; and the heavens are the work of Thy hands.
BrentonIn the beginning thou, O Lord, didst lay the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands.
GreekΚατʼ ἀρχὰς τὴν γῆν σὺ Κύριε ἐθεμελίωσας, καὶ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν σου εἰσὶν οἱ οὐρανοί.
KJVOf old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
JPSOf old Thou didst lay the foundation of the earth; And the heavens are the work of Thy hands.
27
ThomsonThey shall perish; but Thou wilt endure: they shall all wax old like a garment; and like a mantle Thou wilt fold them up and they shall be changed:
BrentonThey shall perish, but thou remainest: and they all shall wax old as a garment; and as a vesture shalt thou fold them, and they shall be changed.
GreekΑὐτοὶ ἀπολοῦνται, σὺ δὲ διαμένεις· καὶ πάντες ὡς ἱμάτιον παλαιωθήσονται, καὶ ὡσεὶ περιβόλαιον ἑλίξεις αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἀλλαγήσονται.
KJVThey shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:
JPSThey shall perish, but Thou shalt endure; Yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; As a vesture shalt Thou change them, and they shall pass away;
28
Thomsonbut as for Thee, thou art the same; and Thy years shall have no end.
BrentonBut thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
GreekΣὺ δὲ ὁ αὐτὸς εἶ, καὶ τὰ ἔτη σου οὐκ ἐκλείψουσιν·
KJVBut thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
JPSBut Thou art the selfsame, And Thy years shall have no end.
29
ThomsonLet the children of Thy servants pitch their tents and their seed be established forever.
BrentonThe children of thy servants shall dwell securely, and their seed shall prosper for ever.
GreekΟἱ υἱοῖ τῶν δούλων σου κατασκηνώσουσι, καὶ τὸ σπέρμα αὐτῶν εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατευθυνθήσεται.
KJVThe children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.
JPSThe children of Thy servants shall dwell securely, And their seed shall be established before Thee.'