Hope in Pain: Psalm 102

This painful life,
   these shortened days,
      the troubles that I know—
My stumbling feet
   and shattered dreams,
      your blessings ebb and flow.

All that I am
   compared to you
      like falling autumn’s leaf—
My painful times
   and triumphs all,
      a life that is so brief.

But still I sound
   barbaric yawp
      for all those yet to live,
To know you love
   small ones like me
      and freely grace you give.

For you are strong,
   eternal life,
      unchanging throughout time,
So by your grace
   and steadfast love
      from life’s dark pit we climb.

My future hope,
   eternal home,
      this earth you throw away.
Your children all
   raised up by you
      to your eternal day.