Psalm 102
Psalm 102 is a heartfelt prayer of an afflicted person who pours out their lament before God. The psalmist expresses deep sorrow and despair but ends with a hopeful acknowledgment of God’s eternal reign and faithfulness to future generations. It captures the tension between personal suffering and confidence in God's ultimate restoration and mercy.
Psalm 102:1-10 (NKJV)
1 Hear my prayer, O Lord,
And let my cry come to You.
2 Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my trouble;
Incline Your ear to me;
In the day that I call, answer me speedily.
3 For my days are consumed like smoke,
And my bones are burned like a hearth.
4 My heart is stricken and withered like grass,
So that I forget to eat my bread.
5 Because of the sound of my groaning
My bones cling to my skin.
6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness;
I am like an owl of the desert.
7 I lie awake,
And am like a sparrow alone on the housetop.
8 My enemies reproach me all day long;
Those who deride me swear an oath against me.
9 For I have eaten ashes like bread,
And mingled my drink with weeping,
10 Because of Your indignation and Your wrath;
For You have lifted me up and cast me away.
The psalmist begins by urgently asking God to hear his cry, revealing the depth of his affliction. His suffering feels overwhelming, as if his life is fleeting like smoke, and his body is wasting away. He likens himself to isolated birds—lonely and abandoned. The description of eating ashes and mixing tears with his drink highlights deep mourning. He feels cast aside under God’s anger, emphasizing both his inner torment and the external reproach from enemies.
Psalm 102:11-14 (NKJV)
11 My days are like a shadow that lengthens,
And I wither away like grass.
12 But You, O Lord, shall endure forever,
And the remembrance of Your name to all generations.
13 You will arise and have mercy on Zion;
For the time to favor her,
Yes, the set time, has come.
14 For Your servants take pleasure in her stones,
And show favor to her dust.
The psalmist contrasts his fleeting existence with God’s eternal nature. Though his personal suffering feels overwhelming, he expresses hope that God will show mercy to Zion, suggesting a future restoration. The servants of God cherish even the ruins of Zion, showing deep love and longing for the city’s renewal. This section reflects both personal despair and communal hope for the nation.
Psalm 102:15-17 (NKJV)
15 So the nations shall fear the name of the Lord,
And all the kings of the earth Your glory.
16 For the Lord shall build up Zion;
He shall appear in His glory.
17 He shall regard the prayer of the destitute,
And shall not despise their prayer.
The psalmist looks forward to the time when God’s intervention will inspire awe among the nations. He believes that God will rebuild Zion, revealing His glory to the world. This passage offers reassurance that God hears the prayers of the downtrodden and will not ignore their cries, affirming God’s compassion.
Psalm 102:18-22 (NKJV)
18 This will be written for the generation to come,
That a people yet to be created may praise the Lord.
19 For He looked down from the height of His sanctuary;
From heaven the Lord viewed the earth,
20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner,
To release those appointed to death,
21 To declare the name of the Lord in Zion,
And His praise in Jerusalem,
22 When the peoples are gathered together,
And the kingdoms, to serve the Lord.
The psalmist emphasizes that these events will inspire future generations to worship God. God's concern for the oppressed and imprisoned highlights His justice and mercy. The restoration of Zion will be a global event, drawing people and nations together in worship and service to the Lord.
Psalm 102:23-28 (NKJV)
23 He weakened my strength in the way;
He shortened my days.
24 I said, “O my God,
Do not take me away in the midst of my days;
Your years are throughout all generations.
25 Of old You laid the foundation of the earth,
And the heavens are the work of Your hands.
26 They will perish, but You will endure;
Yes, they will all grow old like a garment;
Like a cloak You will change them,
And they will be changed.
27 But You are the same,
And Your years will have no end.
28 The children of Your servants will continue,
And their descendants will be established before You.”
The psalm concludes with the psalmist acknowledging both his personal frailty and God’s eternal existence. He pleads with God not to cut his life short, recognizing that, unlike humans and creation, God remains unchanging and everlasting. The psalm ends on a hopeful note, affirming that future generations will continue to serve the Lord, establishing a lasting relationship with Him.