Psalms 102
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
A Psalm of joyous praise, in which the writer rises from a thankful acknowledgment of personal blessings to a lively celebration of God's gracious attributes, as not only intrinsically worthy of praise, but as specially suited to man's frailty. He concludes by invoking all creatures to unite in his song. (Psa. 103:1-22) Bless, &c.--when God is the object, praise. my soul--myself (Psa 3:3; Psa 25:1), with allusion to the act, as one of intelligence. all . . . within me-- (Deu 6:5). his holy name-- (Psa 5:11), His complete moral perfections.
Open source ↗Hear my prayer, O Lord,.... The prayer of a poor, destitute, and afflicted one; his own, and not another's; not what was composed for him, but composed by him; which came out of his own heart, and out of unfeigned lips, and expressed under a feeling sense of his own wants and troubles; and though dictated and inwrought in his heart by the Spirit of God, yet, being put up by him in faith and fervency, it is called his own, and which he desires might be heard: and let my cry come unto thee; he calls his prayer cry, because it was uttered in distress, and with great vehemency and importunity; and he prays that it might come unto God, even into his ears, and be regarded by him, and not shut out: prayer comes aright to God, when it comes through Christ, and out of his hands, perfumed with the incense of his mediation. (e) "pauperis", V. L. Pagninus, Vatablus, Amama; "inopis", Cocceius. (f) "convolveretur", Munster; "obtegitur", Gejerus, so Michaelis. (g) "meditationem suam", Junius & Tremellius, Gejerus, so Ainsworth.
Open source ↗The Psalm opens with familiar expressions of prayer, such as rise in the heart and mouth of the praying one without his feeling that they are of foreign origin; cf. more especially Psa 39:13; Psa 18:7; Psa 88:3; and on Psa 102:3 : Psa 27:9 (Hide not Thy face from me); Psa 59:17 (ביום צר לי); Psa 31:3 and frequently (Incline Thine ear unto me); Psa 56:10 (ביום אקוא); Psa 69:8; Psa 143:7 (מהר ענני).
Open source ↗The title of this psalm is very observable; it is a prayer of the afflicted. It was composed by one that was himself afflicted, afflicted with the church and for it; and on those that are of a public spirit afflictions of that kind lie heavier than any other. It is calculated for an afflicted state, and is intended for the use of others that may be in the like distress; for whatsoever things were written aforetime were written designedly for our use. The whole word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; but here, as often elsewhere, the Holy Ghost has drawn up our petition for us, has put words into our mouths. Hos 14:2, Take with you words. Here is a prayer put into the hands of the afflicted: let them set, not their hands, but their hearts to it, and present it to God. Note, 1. It is often the lot of the best saints in this world to be sorely affected. 2. Even good men may be almost overwhelmed with their afflictions, and may be ready to faint under them. 3. When our state is afflicted, and our spirits are overwhelmed, it is our duty and interest to pray, and by prayer to pour out our complaints before the Lord, which intimates the leave God gives us to be free with him and the liberty of speech we have before him, as well as liberty of access to him; it intimates also what an ease it is to an afflicted spirit to unburden itself by a humble representation of its grievances and griefs. Such a representation we have here, in which, I. The psalmist humbly begs of God to take notice of his affliction, and of his prayer in his affliction, Psa 102:1, Psa 102:2. When we pray in our affliction, 1. It should be our care that God would graciously hear us; for, if our prayers be not pleasing to God, they will be to no purpose to ourselves. Let this therefore be in our eye that…
Open source ↗Ps 102 A frail and afflicted human being prays for the Lord’s compassion on Jerusalem and for his presence with its inhabitants. 102:1-2 The psalmist appeals to the Lord not to turn away (or hide your face). Israel experienced his turning his face away during their exile.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
תְּפִלָּה (tᵉphillâh, H8605) — intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn עָנִי (ʻânîy, H6041) — depressed, in mind or circumstances עָטַף (ʻâṭaph, H5848) — to shroud, i.e. clothe (whether transitive or reflex.); hence (from the idea of darkness)… שָׁפַךְ (shâphak, H8210) — to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e. to mound up); also… שִׂיחַ (sîyach, H7879) — a contemplation; by implication, an utterance פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… שַׁוְעָה (shavʻâh, H7775) — a hallooing בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗סָתַר (çâthar, H5641) — to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… צַר (tsar, H6862) — narrow; (as a noun) a tight place (usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble ;… נָטָה (nâṭâh, H5186) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used… אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man) קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… מַהֵר (mahêr, H4118) — properly, hurrying; hence (adverbially) in ahurry
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… כָּלָה (kâlâh, H3615) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete,… עָשָׁן (ʻâshân, H6227) — smoke, literally or figuratively (vapor, dust, anger) עֶצֶם (ʻetsem, H6106) — a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.)… חָרַר (chârar, H2787) — to glow, i.e. literally (to melt, burn, dry up) or figuratively (to show or incite… מוֹקֵד (môwqêd, H4168) — a fire or fuel; abstractly, a conflagration
Open source ↗לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) יָבֵשׁ (yâbêsh, H3001) — to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither… עֶשֶׂב (ʻeseb, H6212) — grass (or any tender shoot) שָׁכַח (shâkach, H7911) — to mislay, i.e. to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
Open source ↗קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound אֲנָחָה (ʼănâchâh, H585) — sighing עֶצֶם (ʻetsem, H6106) — a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.)… דָּבַק (dâbaq, H1692) — properly, to impinge, i.e. cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the…
Open source ↗דָּמָה (dâmâh, H1819) — to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider קָאַת (qâʼath, H6893) — probably the pelican (from vomiting) מִדְבָּר (midbâr, H4057) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also… כּוֹס (kôwç, H3563) — a cup (as a container), often figuratively, a lot (as if a potion); also some unclean… חׇרְבָּה (chorbâh, H2723) — properly, drought, i.e. (by implication) a desolation
Open source ↗שָׁקַד (shâqad, H8245) — to be alert, i.e. sleepless; hence to be on the lookout (whether for good or ill) צִפּוֹר (tsippôwr, H6833) — a little bird (as hopping) בָּדַד (bâdad, H909) — to divide, i.e. (reflex.) be solitary גָּג (gâg, H1406) — a roof; by analogy, the top of an altar
Open source ↗אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary חָרַף (châraph, H2778) — to pull off, i.e. (by implication) to expose (as by stripping); specifically, to betroth… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… הָלַל (hâlal, H1984) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to… שָׁבַע (shâbaʻ, H7650) — to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
Open source ↗אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) אֵפֶר (ʼêpher, H665) — ashes לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) מָסַךְ (mâçak, H4537) — to mix, especially wine (with spices) שִׁקֻּו (shiqquv, H8249) — (plural collective) a draught בְּכִי (Bᵉkîy, H1065) — a weeping; by analogy, a dripping
Open source ↗פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… זַעַם (zaʻam, H2195) — strictly froth at the mouth, i.e. (figuratively) fury (especially of God's displeasure… קֶצֶף (qetseph, H7110) — a splinter (as chipped off); figuratively, rage or strife נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative שָׁלַךְ (shâlak, H7993) — to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… צֵל (tsêl, H6738) — shade, whether literal or figurative נָטָה (nâṭâh, H5186) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used… יָבֵשׁ (yâbêsh, H3001) — to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither… עֶשֶׂב (ʻeseb, H6212) — grass (or any tender shoot)
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… זֵכֶר (zêker, H2143) — a memento, abstractly recollection (rarely if ever); by implication, commemoration דּוֹר (dôwr, H1755) — properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling
Open source ↗קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) רָחַם (râcham, H7355) — to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate צִיּוֹן (Tsîyôwn, H6726) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. חָנַן (chânan, H2603) — properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to… מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant רָצָה (râtsâh, H7521) — to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy adebt אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H68) — a stone חָנַן (chânan, H2603) — properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to… עָפָר (ʻâphâr, H6083) — dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for His help reached His ears.
From the ends of the earth I call out to You whenever my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
After a long time, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned and cried out under their burden of slavery, and their cry for deliverance from bondage ascended to God.
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. For I am a foreigner dwelling with You, a stranger like all my fathers.
And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.
During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.
So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the LORD, and He could no longer bear the misery of Israel.
Then the priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard their voice, and their prayer came into His holy dwelling place in heaven.
Even when I cry out and plead for help, He shuts out my prayer.
“At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you are to anoint him leader over My people Israel; he will save them from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.”