Hear, O Lord, my prayer: and let my cry come to Thee. Turn not away Thy face from me: in the day when I am in trouble, incline Thine ear to me. In that day soever I shall call upon Thee, hear me speedily. For my days are vanished like smoke: and my bones are grown dry like fuel for the fire. I am smitten as grass, and my heart is withered: because I forgot to eat my bread. Through the voice of my groaning, my bone hath cleaved to my flesh. I am become like to a pelican of the wilderness: I am like a night raven in the house. I have watched, and am become as a sparrow all alone on the housetop. All the day long my enemies reproached me: and they that praised me did swear against me. For I did eat ashes like bread, an mingled my drink with weeping. Because of Thine anger and indignation: for having lifted me up Thou hast thrown me down. My days have declined like a shadow, and I am withered like grass. But Thou, O Lord, endurest for ever: and Thy memorial to all generations. Thou shalt arise and have mercy on Sion: for it is time to have mercy on it, for the time is come. For the stones thereof have pleased thy servants: and they shall have pity on the earth thereof. And the Gentiles shall fear Thy Name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth Thy glory. For the Lord hath built up Sion: and He shall be seen in His glory. He hath had regard to the prayer of the humble: and He hath not despised their petition. Let these things be written unto another generation: and the poeple that shall be created shall praise the Lord: Because He hath looked forth from His high sanctuary: from heaven the Lord hath looked upon the earth. That He might hear the groans of them that are in fetters: that He might release the children of the slain: That they may declare the Name of the Lord in Sion: and His praise in Jerusalem. When the people assemble together, and kings, to serve the Lord. He answered him in the way of His strength: Declare unto me the fewness of my days. Call me not away in the midst of my days: Thy years are into generation and generation. In the beginning, O Lord, Thou foundest the earth; and the heavens are the works of Thy hands. They shall perish but Thou remainest: and all of them shall grow old like a garment: And as a vesture Thou shalt change them, and they shall be changed. But Thou are always the selfsame, and Thy years shall not fail. The children of Thy servants shall continue; and their seed shall be directed for ever.
Glory be the the Father…
Details about Psalm 101 (the Fifth Penitential Psalm)
Psalm 101, also known as the Fifth Penitential Psalm, is one of seven ancient prayers in the Book of Psalms that were designed for use in penitential seasons of the liturgical year.
The psalm is traditionally associated with the season of Lent, which is a period of repentance and spiritual reflection leading up to Easter.
Psalm 101 is a prayer of penitence, in which the author confesses his sins, asks for forgiveness, and expresses a desire to be reconciled with God.
The psalm is notable for its depth of emotion and its powerful imagery, with the author describing himself as a “desolate owl in the midst of ruins” and crying out to God for mercy and healing.
Over the centuries, Psalm 101 has been used as a spiritual resource for Christians seeking to deepen their relationship with God and to grow in their spiritual lives.
The psalm has been set to music by numerous composers, and it is often used in devotional practices such as the Rosary and the Liturgy of the Hours.
Today, Psalm 101 remains a powerful expression of penitence and a reminder of God’s mercy towards those who seek Him with a contrite heart.
It continues to be an important part of Catholic prayer and worship, particularly during the season of Lent, when Catholics seek to turn away from sin and to grow in their love and knowledge of God.