What does Psalm 102:23 mean?
ESV: He has broken my strength in midcourse; he has shortened my days.
NIV: In the course of my life he broke my strength; he cut short my days.
NASB: He has broken my strength in the way; He has shortened my days.
CSB: He has broken my strength in midcourse; he has shortened my days.
NLT: He broke my strength in midlife, cutting short my days.
KJV: He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.
NKJV: He weakened my strength in the way; He shortened my days.
Verse Commentary:
Verse Context:
Psalm 102:23–28 continues to look forward with hope, knowing that God is invincible and unstoppable. Even the writer's current state is part of God's sovereign plan. The psalmist is sad to think he will not live to see the Lord's ultimate victory. But he knows that the Lord outlasts everything, and some day multiple generations will experience God's goodness. Hebrews chapter 1 cites several phrases from this section.
Chapter Summary:
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.
Chapter Context:
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.
Book Summary:
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 8:59:13 AM
© Copyright 2002-2024 Got Questions Ministries. All rights reserved.
Text from ESV, NIV, NASB, CSB, NLT, KJV, NKJV © Copyright respective owners, used by permission.
