19 He looked down from His holy heights —the Lord gazed out from heaven to earth —
20 to hear a prisoner’s groaning,to set free those condemned to die,
21 so that they might declarethe name of Yahweh in Zionand His praise in Jerusalem,
22 when peoples and kingdoms are assembledto serve the Lord.
23 He has broken my strength in midcourse;He has shortened my days.
24 I say: “My God, do not take mein the middle of my life! Your years continue through all generations.
25 Long ago You established the earth,and the heavens are the work of Your hands.