Psalms 102 - Printer Friendly

This psalm is not tied to a specific author or event. Unlike other psalms, its subtitle seems to mention when the song is appropriate, rather than listing an author or a particular inspiration. This may reflect the angst of a Jewish person waiting for Israel to be brought back from exile in Babylon. Or it may simply be the sincere suffering felt by someone in pain.

The song begins with a plea to be seen and heard by God. This doesn't suggest that the Lord is ignorant. Rather, it's a way of emphasizing how much the psalmist wants the Lord's rescue. The writer compares his sorry state to charred ashes, dying grass, solitary desert animals, and a fading evening shadow (Psalm 102:1–11).

Despite this pain, the psalmist recognizes that God is in full control. The song anticipates the Lord's intervention at the right time—God's time—and that worldwide understanding will come along as well. Even in hard circumstances, there is hope in knowing that the Lord will make things right in the end. The psalmist wants future generations to remember these things so they will learn to love God (Psalm 102:12–22).

The psalmist is deeply suffering, but also realizes that the Lord God is in control of all things. The writer prays for longer life, so he can see more of the Lord's promises fulfilled. Yet he seems to know that his days are numbered. There is comfort in knowing that God will go on forever. And there is encouragement in thinking about future generations who will live under God's perfect rule. The first chapter of the book of Hebrews cites parts of this passage (Psalm 102:23–28).

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.

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.