A Prayer for Mercy

51 Remember , O Lord , what has befallen us; Look , and see our reproach ! 2 Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers , Our houses to aliens . 3 We have become orphans without a father , Our mothers are like widows . 4 We have to pay for our drinking water , Our wood comes to us at a price . 5 Our pursuers are at our necks ; We are worn out, there is no rest for us. 6 We have submitted e to Egypt and Assyria to get enough bread . 7 Our fathers sinned , and are no more ; It is we who have borne their iniquities . 8 Slaves rule over us; There is no one to deliver us from their hand . 9 We get our bread at the risk of our lives Because e of the sword in the wilderness . 10 Our skin has become as hot as an oven , Because e of the burning heat of famine . 11 They ravished the women in Zion , The virgins in the cities of Judah . 12 Princes were hung by their hands ; Elders were not respected . 13 Young men worked at the grinding mill , And youths stumbled under loads of wood . 14 Elders are gone from the gate , Young men from their music . 15 The joy of our hearts has ceased ; Our dancing has been turned into mourning . 16 The crown has fallen from our head ; Woe to us, for we have sinned !

17 Because of this our heart is faint , Because of these things our eyes are dim ; 18 Because of Mount Zion which lies desolate , Foxes prowl in it. 19 You, O Lord , rule forever ; Your throne is from generation to generation . 20 Why do You forget us forever ? Why do You forsake us so e long e ? 21 Restore us to You, O Lord , that we may be restored ; Renew our days as of old , 22 Unless e You have utterly rejected us And are exceedingly e angry with us.