Psalms 102 Commentary
Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come unto thee.
Hide 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.
For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.
My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.
By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.
I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.
I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.
For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,
Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.
My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.
But thou, O Lord, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.
Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.
For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.
So the heathen shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.
When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord.
For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth;
To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;
To declare the name of the Lord in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord.
He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.
I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.
Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
They 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:
But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.
Psalms 102 stands as a poignant lament, a heartfelt cry for divine intervention in the midst of profound suffering. Unlike many psalms, it lacks a specific attribution of authorship or historical event. Its superscription, instead, suggests a context: "A prayer of an afflicted person who is faint and pours out his lament before the Lord." This hints that the psalm's value lies not in its origin, but in its timeless applicability to anyone experiencing deep distress. It echoes the themes found in other psalms of lament, such as Psalms 22, 69, and 79, and resonates with the prophetic voice of Isaiah.
A Cry for God's Attention (Psalms 102:1-7)
The psalm opens with an urgent plea: "Hear my prayer, Lord; let my cry for help come to you" (Psalms 102:1). This isn't a suggestion that God is unaware of the psalmist's plight, but rather an expression of the intensity of his need and his desire for God's immediate and compassionate response. The psalmist vividly describes the depths of his despair, painting a picture of physical, emotional, and spiritual anguish. He feels consumed by his troubles.
The psalmist uses striking imagery to convey his brokenness. He compares himself to smoke that vanishes, bones that burn like a furnace, and a heart withered like grass (Psalms 102:3-4). He has lost his appetite and groans constantly (Psalms 102:5). Loneliness and isolation amplify his suffering, as he likens himself to a desert owl or a solitary bird on a roof (Psalms 102:6-7). These powerful metaphors underscore the psalmist's utter desolation. When you are suffering and desperate for God’s intervention, let these biblical laments guide you in your prayers. When you don’t know what to say, use the inspired words of this psalm.
Facing Mockery and Wrath (Psalms 102:8-11)
Adding to the psalmist's misery is the constant taunting of his enemies (Psalms 102:8). He mourns continually, his food is like ashes, and his drink is mixed with tears (Psalms 102:9). He attributes his suffering to God's wrath, feeling abandoned and overwhelmed by the weight of divine displeasure (Psalms 102:10). He sees his life fading away like a lengthening shadow, a stark reminder of his mortality (Psalms 102:11). The backdrop to this despair may well be the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of God's people, consequences of their idolatry.
Hope Amidst Despair (Psalms 102:12-17)
Even in the darkest depths of despair, the psalmist clings to hope, recognizing God's eternal reign and covenant faithfulness. "But you, Lord, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations" (Psalms 102:12). He expresses confidence that God will have compassion on Zion and that the nations will fear the Lord's name (Psalms 102:13, 15). He trusts that the Lord will answer the prayer of the destitute (Psalms 102:17). This section marks a turning point, shifting from lament to a declaration of faith in God's ultimate power and mercy. Even in hard circumstances, there is hope in knowing that the Lord will make things right in the end. The psalmist wants future generations to remember these things so they will learn to love God.
A Psalm for Generations to Come (Psalms 102:18-22)
The psalmist understands that his words are not just for his own time but are intended for future generations. He writes so that "a people yet to be created may praise the Lord" (Psalms 102:18). He envisions a time when the Lord will set free those condemned to die and when peoples and kingdoms will assemble to serve him (Psalms 102:20-22). This speaks to the enduring power of prayer and the hope of future restoration and worldwide acknowledgement of God’s kingdom, a hope that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Messiah's millennial reign. At that time, Jerusalem will be fully restored, and the entire world will recognize the greatness and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.
God's Eternal Nature (Psalms 102:23-28)
In contrast to the psalmist's fleeting existence, he affirms God's eternal nature. He acknowledges his own weakness and pleads for mercy (Psalms 102:23-24). Though his days are numbered, he finds comfort in knowing that God is everlasting (Psalms 102:24). He recognizes that God existed before creation and will outlast it (Psalms 102:25-26). "But you remain the same, and your years will never end" (Psalms 102:27). This passage is quoted in Hebrews 1:10-12, applying these verses to Jesus Christ, affirming His divine nature and eternal existence. Because God is everlasting, the psalmist knows that he will preserve his children.
Psalms 102 offers a powerful model for prayer in times of suffering. It is a testament to the enduring hope that can be found in God, even in the midst of profound despair. It reminds us that God hears our cries, that He is faithful to His promises, and that His love endures forever. Come to God with your complaint, your repentance, your grief, and your hope. He is big enough to deal with them all.
Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come unto thee.
Hide 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.
For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.
My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.
By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.
I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.
I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.
For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,
Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.
My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.
But thou, O Lord, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.
Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.
For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.
So the heathen shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.
When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord.
For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth;
To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;
To declare the name of the Lord in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord.
He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.
I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.
Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
They 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:
But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.
Psalms 102 stands as a poignant lament, a heartfelt cry for divine intervention in the midst of profound suffering. Unlike many psalms, it lacks a specific attribution of authorship or historical event. Its superscription, instead, suggests a context: "A prayer of an afflicted person who is faint and pours out his lament before the Lord." This hints that the psalm's value lies not in its origin, but in its timeless applicability to anyone experiencing deep distress. It echoes the themes found in other psalms of lament, such as Psalms 22, 69, and 79, and resonates with the prophetic voice of Isaiah.
A Cry for God's Attention (Psalms 102:1-7)
The psalm opens with an urgent plea: "Hear my prayer, Lord; let my cry for help come to you" (Psalms 102:1). This isn't a suggestion that God is unaware of the psalmist's plight, but rather an expression of the intensity of his need and his desire for God's immediate and compassionate response. The psalmist vividly describes the depths of his despair, painting a picture of physical, emotional, and spiritual anguish. He feels consumed by his troubles.
The psalmist uses striking imagery to convey his brokenness. He compares himself to smoke that vanishes, bones that burn like a furnace, and a heart withered like grass (Psalms 102:3-4). He has lost his appetite and groans constantly (Psalms 102:5). Loneliness and isolation amplify his suffering, as he likens himself to a desert owl or a solitary bird on a roof (Psalms 102:6-7). These powerful metaphors underscore the psalmist's utter desolation. When you are suffering and desperate for God’s intervention, let these biblical laments guide you in your prayers. When you don’t know what to say, use the inspired words of this psalm.
Facing Mockery and Wrath (Psalms 102:8-11)
Adding to the psalmist's misery is the constant taunting of his enemies (Psalms 102:8). He mourns continually, his food is like ashes, and his drink is mixed with tears (Psalms 102:9). He attributes his suffering to God's wrath, feeling abandoned and overwhelmed by the weight of divine displeasure (Psalms 102:10). He sees his life fading away like a lengthening shadow, a stark reminder of his mortality (Psalms 102:11). The backdrop to this despair may well be the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of God's people, consequences of their idolatry.
Hope Amidst Despair (Psalms 102:12-17)
Even in the darkest depths of despair, the psalmist clings to hope, recognizing God's eternal reign and covenant faithfulness. "But you, Lord, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations" (Psalms 102:12). He expresses confidence that God will have compassion on Zion and that the nations will fear the Lord's name (Psalms 102:13, 15). He trusts that the Lord will answer the prayer of the destitute (Psalms 102:17). This section marks a turning point, shifting from lament to a declaration of faith in God's ultimate power and mercy. Even in hard circumstances, there is hope in knowing that the Lord will make things right in the end. The psalmist wants future generations to remember these things so they will learn to love God.
A Psalm for Generations to Come (Psalms 102:18-22)
The psalmist understands that his words are not just for his own time but are intended for future generations. He writes so that "a people yet to be created may praise the Lord" (Psalms 102:18). He envisions a time when the Lord will set free those condemned to die and when peoples and kingdoms will assemble to serve him (Psalms 102:20-22). This speaks to the enduring power of prayer and the hope of future restoration and worldwide acknowledgement of God’s kingdom, a hope that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Messiah's millennial reign. At that time, Jerusalem will be fully restored, and the entire world will recognize the greatness and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.
God's Eternal Nature (Psalms 102:23-28)
In contrast to the psalmist's fleeting existence, he affirms God's eternal nature. He acknowledges his own weakness and pleads for mercy (Psalms 102:23-24). Though his days are numbered, he finds comfort in knowing that God is everlasting (Psalms 102:24). He recognizes that God existed before creation and will outlast it (Psalms 102:25-26). "But you remain the same, and your years will never end" (Psalms 102:27). This passage is quoted in Hebrews 1:10-12, applying these verses to Jesus Christ, affirming His divine nature and eternal existence. Because God is everlasting, the psalmist knows that he will preserve his children.
Psalms 102 offers a powerful model for prayer in times of suffering. It is a testament to the enduring hope that can be found in God, even in the midst of profound despair. It reminds us that God hears our cries, that He is faithful to His promises, and that His love endures forever. Come to God with your complaint, your repentance, your grief, and your hope. He is big enough to deal with them all.