Psalms 102
FBMeyerPsalms 102:1-11
the Cry of the Afflicted Psalms 102:1-11 This is the fifth of the Penitential Psalms. Some hold that it is one of the later psalms, asking for deliverance from captivity; others, emphasizing certain Davidic characteristics, ascribe it to the hand of the royal psalmist. Its actual authorship, however, is of comparatively small consequence; the main thing is to notice what adequate expression it gives to the sorrow of an almost broken heart. The psalmist bases his cry for a speedy answer on the swiftness with which his days are passing away, like smoke escaping, from a chimney. His bones are calcined; his heart withers like Jonah’ s gourd; he is worn to a skeleton by his long and passionate lamentations. He finds his likeness in solitude-loving creatures, such as the pelican and the owl. Still another element in his suffering is the mockery of his foes. He cannot get away from it; it haunts him. Ashes, the token of his mourning, are his food, and tears fill his cup.
But the bitterest element of all is the consciousness of God’ s displeasure. It seems as if God’ s hand is against him, and in the accumulated weight of grief, he deems that the day of his life must expire. However, in the concluding portion of the psalm his hope is renewed.
Withered like grass This is the fifth of the penitential Psalms. Some have held that it is one of the later Psalms, asking for deliverance from the captivity. But, from certain special Davidic characteristics, it seems better to refer it to the hand of the royal and sweet Psalmist himself. However, its authorship is of comparatively small consequence. The main thing is to notice the adequateness of the Psalm to those who are afflicted and overwhelmed, and who feel the need of suitable words in which to pour out their hearts to God.
We may arrange the subjects as follows: A pitiful complaint (Psalms 102:1-11); Confidence in the Divine Deliverer (Psalms 102:12-22); A comparison of the greatness of God with the frailty of nature (Psalms 102:23-28). Psalms 102:4. My heart is smitten A withered heart, from which all joy is gone, as the juice from a sapless bough (see Psalms 102:11).
Psalms 102:5. My bones cleave to my flesh (see Job 19:20; Lamentations 4:8).
Psalms 102:6-7. I am like a pelican an owl a sparrow All symbols of solitariness.
Psalms 102:7. Alone upon the housetop Loneliness is one of the keenest of human sorrows (Psalms 38:11; John 16:32).
Psalms 102:10. Thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down The devout soul turns from its sorrows to Jehovah. God is ever coming to the soul through human agents and secondary causes. And it deals , with Him at first hand.
Psalms 102:12. But Thou, O Lord, sittest as King (R.V., marg.). What a comfort to turn from our failures and defeats to that eternal Monarchy, which is as independent of us as the stability of the mountains is of the withered leaves that strew their slopes.
Psalms 102:13. Thou shalt arise! As much of this complaint was probably occasioned by the depressed state of the Jewish nation, so comfort is occasioned by a clear conviction that the Divine Deliverer is at hand.
Psalms 102:14. Thy servants take pleasure in the stones of Zion When God leads his people to bemoan their low estate, a revival is near at hand (compare Nehemiah 1:3-4, with Nehemiah 12:43).
Psalms 102:15-16. So the heathen shall fear the name of the Lord! The revival of God’s people is indispensable to the awakening of the world. And God’s glory is conspicuously manifested in the newly-imparted zeal and life of his servants. Then He indeed appears in glory.
Psalms 102:17. The prayer of the destitute (Psalms 34:6).
Psalms 102:18. Written for the generation to come (Matthew 26:13; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11).
Psalms 102:19-20. From heaven did the Lord behold the earth The Lord (Jah) stoops low to hear the sighs which might seem too slight to penetrate the dungeon wall. Sigh, imprisoned heart, if thou canst not pray! Sighs fly swift to the ear of God.
Psalms 102:25-27. Of old hast Thou laid the foundation of the earth These magnificent verses are applied directly to our Lord (Hebrews 1:8; Hebrews 1:10-12). Granite rocks and stars of light shall fulfil their purpose and be laid aside as worn-out robes when He speaks their concluded mission (Revelation 21:5). But Jehovah-Jesus will ever be unchangeably the same, able to summon new creations into being with a word.
Psalms 102:12-28
the Time to Have Mercy upon Zion Psalms 102:12-28 We must remember that the Holy Spirit appropriates the closing words of this psalm as addressed to our Lord. See Hebrews 1:10-12. This gives new point to these petitions. The psalmist’ s sorrows, described in the previous paragraph, had their source in the desolations of Zion rather than in personal afflictions; and when the soul feels such oppression, it is a sign that deliverance is near. Finney, the great evangelist, tells of a woman who came to her pastor under such concern for the perishing that she could neither eat nor sleep. She entreated him to appoint an inquirers’ meeting, and though there had been no signs of a revival, it suddenly broke out. When Christians take pity on the stones and dust of the Church, the time has come for God to arise to her help. Behold the unchanging Christ! Creation may wax old, the heavens and earth may be laid aside as an outworn garment, the old order may give place to new; but beneath all the changed Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. How delightful are those immortal words, But thou, O Lord, shalt endure, and if He endures, His servants shall continue also, and their children after them.
Withered like grass This is the fifth of the penitential Psalms. Some have held that it is one of the later Psalms, asking for deliverance from the captivity. But, from certain special Davidic characteristics, it seems better to refer it to the hand of the royal and sweet Psalmist himself. However, its authorship is of comparatively small consequence. The main thing is to notice the adequateness of the Psalm to those who are afflicted and overwhelmed, and who feel the need of suitable words in which to pour out their hearts to God.
We may arrange the subjects as follows: A pitiful complaint (Psalms 102:1-11); Confidence in the Divine Deliverer (Psalms 102:12-22); A comparison of the greatness of God with the frailty of nature (Psalms 102:23-28). Psalms 102:4. My heart is smitten A withered heart, from which all joy is gone, as the juice from a sapless bough (see Psalms 102:11).
Psalms 102:5. My bones cleave to my flesh (see Job 19:20; Lamentations 4:8).
Psalms 102:6-7. I am like a pelican an owl a sparrow All symbols of solitariness.
Psalms 102:7. Alone upon the housetop Loneliness is one of the keenest of human sorrows (Psalms 38:11; John 16:32).
Psalms 102:10. Thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down The devout soul turns from its sorrows to Jehovah. God is ever coming to the soul through human agents and secondary causes. And it deals , with Him at first hand.
Psalms 102:12. But Thou, O Lord, sittest as King (R.V., marg.). What a comfort to turn from our failures and defeats to that eternal Monarchy, which is as independent of us as the stability of the mountains is of the withered leaves that strew their slopes.
Psalms 102:13. Thou shalt arise! As much of this complaint was probably occasioned by the depressed state of the Jewish nation, so comfort is occasioned by a clear conviction that the Divine Deliverer is at hand.
Psalms 102:14. Thy servants take pleasure in the stones of Zion When God leads his people to bemoan their low estate, a revival is near at hand (compare Nehemiah 1:3-4, with Nehemiah 12:43).
Psalms 102:15-16. So the heathen shall fear the name of the Lord! The revival of God’s people is indispensable to the awakening of the world. And God’s glory is conspicuously manifested in the newly-imparted zeal and life of his servants. Then He indeed appears in glory.
Psalms 102:17. The prayer of the destitute (Psalms 34:6).
Psalms 102:18. Written for the generation to come (Matthew 26:13; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11).
Psalms 102:19-20. From heaven did the Lord behold the earth The Lord (Jah) stoops low to hear the sighs which might seem too slight to penetrate the dungeon wall. Sigh, imprisoned heart, if thou canst not pray! Sighs fly swift to the ear of God.
Psalms 102:25-27. Of old hast Thou laid the foundation of the earth These magnificent verses are applied directly to our Lord (Hebrews 1:8; Hebrews 1:10-12). Granite rocks and stars of light shall fulfil their purpose and be laid aside as worn-out robes when He speaks their concluded mission (Revelation 21:5). But Jehovah-Jesus will ever be unchangeably the same, able to summon new creations into being with a word.