Psalm 102:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: that they may declare in Zion the name of the Lord, and in Jerusalem his praise,

NIV: So the name of the Lord will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem

NASB: So that people may tell of the name of the Lord in Zion, And His praise in Jerusalem,

CSB: so that they might declare the name of the Lord in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem,

NLT: And so the Lord’s fame will be celebrated in Zion, his praises in Jerusalem,

KJV: To declare the name of the Lord in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;

NKJV: To declare the name of the Lord in Zion, And His praise in Jerusalem,

Psalm 102:12–22 puts the psalmist's suffering into perspective. He realizes that God is still sovereign. Even better is to remember that the Lord's time of judgment is coming. One day, He will restore His people, Israel, and the entire world will learn to honor Him. The generations living after the psalmist should know that the Lord promised the victory they will live to see.

The psalmist uses dramatic images to depict his deep suffering. These emphasize ideas like loneliness, hopelessness, and despair. Even so, the psalmist knows that God is in control. He writes a message for future generations, telling them to see his own suffering as evidence that the Lord sees His people in their pain. The psalmist is sure that God will come to rescue His people, one day, and they will be safe forever.

This psalm's unusual subtitle appears to indicate when the song is appropriate, rather than the author or inspiration. Some suggest it refers to sadness as the people wait to be restored from Babylonian captivity. However, the song is very personal. Its themes resemble those of Psalms 22, 69, and 79, as well as parts of Isaiah. Despite pain, the psalmist praises and honors the Lord as God. A portion near the end of the psalm reappears in Hebrews 1:10–12.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 11/22/2024 9:36:06 AM