Psalms 102 ~ Listen and Read Along

Dramatized KJV
 JV McGee
This Psalm belongs to the closing days of the exile, and utters the hope of Israel's restoration (Psalm 102:13~22). The Psalmist has been supposed by some to speak simply in the name of the nation, but it is more probable that he describes his personal distress, though this was caused by the captivity and humiliation of his people. In 102:14 he speaks of his fellow-countrymen in the plural, and his shrinking from premature death (102:11, Psalm 102:23~24) breathes a distinctly personal note. He is wasted away with lonely sorrow (102:1-7, Psa_102:9), mocked by enemies (Psa_102:8), and conscious that his affliction is a token of God’s displeasure (102:10). But the eternity and changelessness of God are the ground of his hope (102:12, Psa_102:24-28) both for himself and for the whole of God's people.

This is a Messianic psalm. The Messiah is speaking here. This is evident from the quotation of Psalm 102:26~28 in Hebrews 1 where the quotation refers to Christ (Hebrews 1:10-12). This Psalm is not so much about Christ's atoning suffering, but about His suffering in connection with the judgment that God had to bring on Israel and Jerusalem. Christ identifies Himself with His people, the faithful remnant, who suffer from that judgment. The New Testament clearly distinguishes between the atoning suffering of the Lord Jesus (suffering is mentioned in the singular) and suffering as God's Witness (suffering is mentioned in the plural). The latter is a suffering that must also be endured by believers (1Peter 1:6~7).

The Treasury of David

 

Do Not Hide Your Face from Me    

Psalms 102:1 A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.
Psalms 102:2 Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.
Psalms 102:3 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.
Psalms 102:4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.
Psalms 102:5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.
Psalms 102:6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.
Psalms 102:7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
Psalms 102:8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.
Psalms 102:9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,
Psalms 102:10 Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.
Psalms 102:11 My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.
Psalms 102:12 But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.
Psalms 102:13 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.
Psalms 102:14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.
Psalms 102:15 So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.
Psalms 102:16 When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
Psalms 102:17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
Psalms 102:18 This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.
Psalms 102:19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;
Psalms 102:20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;
Psalms 102:21 To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
Psalms 102:22 When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
Psalms 102:23 He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.
Psalms 102:24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.
Psalms 102:25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
Psalms 102:26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:
Psalms 102:27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
Psalms 102:28 The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.
  
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