PSALM PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 102:1. The title, “A Prayer of one
afflicted,” makes it clear that this is an individual lament. At the
same time, it is certainly not individualistic: the “I” who sings
this (vv. Psalms 102:1, Psalms 102:23) sees himself as a member of a
community, Zion (vv. Psalms 102:12... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 102:3 The singer focuses on his sense of
discouragement: BONES BURN, HEART IS STRUCK DOWN, FORGET TO EAT MY
BREAD, LOUD GROANING, MY BONES CLING TO MY FLESH. These images
describe what it feels like to be consumed by sorrow, which has
withering effects on one’s body. A person fe... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 102:12 The enduring reign of God (ENTHRONED
FOREVER, REMEMBERED THROUGHOUT ALL GENERATIONS) brings about the
ultimate success of his saving purposes in the world (v. Psalms
102:15). Since God DOES NOT DESPISE THEIR PRAYER, the afflicted can be
assured that their momentary grievi... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 102:18 The days of Zion’s glory lie in the
future, in the time of A GENERATION TO COME. They will need this
record of God’s promises and faithfulness to his people of all eras.
The time will come when God’s people will reflect on how God LOOKED
DOWN... TO HEAR and will lift thei... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 102:23 The person who feels what vv. Psalms
102:3 describes is keenly aware of his own mortality. It seems like
the troubles will shorten his life even further. The prayer is that
the God WHOSE YEARS ENDURE THROUGHOUT ALL GENERATIONS would preserve
the life of his faithful ones,... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 102:25 The psalm finishes with words addressed
to God, focusing on his everlasting being and purpose. Though the
earth and heavens WILL PERISH and WILL ALL WEAR OUT LIKE A GARMENT,
God WILL REMAIN. Thus the psalm closes with confidence, expecting God
to keep his promises to many... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 102:28 CHILDREN... OFFSPRING. The Lord, who is
everlasting, can ensure that the descendants of his SERVANTS will
DWELL SECURE, that is, will enjoy God’s love and Zion’s future.
⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for
(var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]