Psalm 102:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "O my God," I say, "take me not away in the midst of my days — you whose years endure throughout all generations!"

NIV: So I said: "Do not take me away, my God, in the midst of my days; your years go on through all generations.

NASB: I say, 'My God, do not take me away in the middle of my days, Your years are throughout all generations.

CSB: I say: "My God, do not take me in the middle of my life! Your years continue through all generations.

NLT: But I cried to him, 'O my God, who lives forever, don’t take my life while I am so young!

KJV: I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.

NKJV: I said, “O my God, Do not take me away in the midst of my days; Your years are throughout all generations.

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.

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 9:23:17 AM