Psalm 102:9 - Printer Friendly

What does Psalm 102:9 mean?

ESV: For I eat ashes like bread and mingle tears with my drink,

NIV: For I eat ashes as my food and mingle my drink with tears

NASB: For I have eaten ashes like bread, And mixed my drink with weeping

CSB: I eat ashes like bread and mingle my drinks with tears

NLT: I eat ashes for food. My tears run down into my drink

KJV: For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,

NKJV: For I have eaten ashes like bread, And mingled my drink with weeping,

Verse Commentary:

Please see our chapter commentary on Psalm 102, verse-level content coming soon!

Verse Context:

Psalm 102:1–11 pleads with the Lord to see the psalmist's suffering. The writer compares his condition to lonely desert animals and charred ashes. He realizes this is according to God's will, but mourns that enemies seem to have achieved victory.

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 9:33:44 AM