Psalms 102:2

A prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the Lord. , and let my cry come unto thee. 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. 3 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as a hearth. 4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread. 5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin. 6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. 7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top. 8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me. 9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping, 10 Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down. 11 My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass. The title of this psalm is very observable; it is a prayer of the afflicted. It was composed by one that was himself afflicted, afflicted with the church and for it; and on those that are of a public spirit afflictions of that kind lie heavier than any other. It is calculated for an afflicted state, and is intended for the use of others that may be in the like distress; for whatsoever things were written aforetime were written designedly for our use.

102:1-11 The whole word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; but here, is often elsewhere, the Holy Ghost has put words into our mouths. Here is a prayer put into the hands of the afflicted; let them present it to God. Even good men may be almost overwhelmed with afflictions. It is our duty and interest to pray; and it is comfort to an afflicted spirit to unburden itself, by a humble representation of its griefs. We must say, Blessed be the name of the Lord, who both gives and takes away. The psalmist looked upon himself as a dying man; My days are like a shadow.

Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble,.... Thy Shechinah, as the Targum: when God hides his face at any time from his people, it is a trouble to them, and very grievous; but especially when they are in any other trouble besides; it is very afflicting, indeed, when to their outward trouble this is added, which was Job's case, Job 23:1 , incline thine ear unto me; condescend, in great grace and goodness, to stoop and bow thine ear, and listen to the voice of my supplication: in the day when I call, answer me speedily; good men are always for speedy answers of prayer; they would have them the day, the hour, the moment they are calling upon God: sometimes answers are returned as soon, Isaiah 65:24 , the case of the psalmist was very distressing, and, as he thought at least, required haste, and therefore requests a speedy answer.

Verse 2. - Hide not thy face from me (so in Psalm 27:9 ; Psalm 69:17 ; Psalm 143:7 ). As the "light of God's countenance" is the greatest of all goods ( Psalm 4:6 ), so its withdrawal is the worst of evils. In the day when I am in trouble; literally, in the day of my trouble , or of my straits. Incline thine ear unto me (comp. Psalm 17:6 ; Psalm 71:2 ; Psalm 88:2 , etc.). In the day when I call, answer me speedily. Compare the versicles of our Prayer book, "O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us." Psalm 102:2

PSALM 102 Ps 102:1-28. A Prayer of the afflicted, &c.—The general terms seem to denote the propriety of regarding the Psalm as suitably expressive of the anxieties of any one of David's descendants, piously concerned for the welfare of the Church. It was probably David's composition, and, though specially suggested by some peculiar trials, descriptive of future times. Overwhelmed—(compare Ps 61:2). Poureth out—pouring out the soul—(Ps 62:8). Complaint—(Ps 55:2). The tone of complaint predominates, though in view of God's promises and abiding faithfulness, it is sometimes exchanged for that of confidence and hope. 1-3. The terms used occur in Ps 4:1; 17:1, 6; 18:6; 31:2, 10; 37:20.

Hide not thy face from me - The Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate render this, "Do not turn away thy face from me." The sense is essentially the same. The prayer is, that God would not refuse to look graciously upon him; that he would turn his attention to him; that he would regard his supplications. See the notes at Psalm 10:1 ; compare Psalm 13:1 ; Psalm 27:9 ; Job 13:24 ; Job 34:29 ; Deuteronomy 31:17 . In the day when I am in trouble - When sorrows come upon me; when I need thy gracious help. Literally, "When there is distress to me." Incline thine ear unto me - See Psalm 5:1, note; Psalm 17:6, note; compare Psalm 17:1; Psalm 55:1; Psalm 86:6; Psalm 39:12. In the day when I call, answer me speedily - Grant at once my requests; give me immediate evidence that my prayer is heard. The psalmist believed in an immediate answer to prayer. He often had evidence that his prayer was answered at once; his mind became calm; he had comfort and peace; he obtained the blessing which he earnestly sought. No one can doubt that prayer may be answered at once; no one who prays can fail to find such answers in his own case, in his peace, his calmness, his joy. In multitudes of cases blessings are granted in such a way that there can be no doubt that they have come in answer to prayer. Compare the notes at Daniel 9:20-23.

The Psalm opens with familiar expressions of prayer, such as rise in the heart and mouth of the praying one without his feeling that they are of foreign origin; cf. more especially Psalm 39:13 ; Psalm 18:7 ; Psalm 88:3 ; and on Psalm 102:3 : Psalm 27:9 (Hide not Thy face from me); Psalm 59:17 (ביום צר לי); Psalm 31:3 and frequently (Incline Thine ear unto me); Psalm 56:10 (ביום אקוא); Psalm 69:8 ; Psalm 143:7 (מהר ענני).

[Bible] 101:19. Let these things be written unto another generation: and the people that shall be created shall praise the Lord: 101:20. Because he hath looked forth from his high sanctuary: from heaven the Lord hath looked upon the earth. 101:21. That he might hear the groans of them that are in fetters: that he might release the children of the slain: 101:22. That they may declare the name of the Lord in Sion: and his praise in Jerusalem; 101:23. When the people assemble together, and kings, to serve the Lord. 101:24. He answered him in the way of his strength: Declare unto me the fewness of my days. He answered him in the way of his strength... That is, the people, mentioned in the foregoing verse, or the penitent, in whose person this psalm is delivered, answered the Lord in the way of his strength: that is, according to the best of his power and strength: or when he was in the flower of his age and strength: inquiring after the fewness of his days: to know if he should live long enough to see the happy restoration of Sion, etc. 101:25. Call me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are unto generation and generation. 101:26. In the beginning, O Lord, thou foundedst the earth: and the heavens are the works of thy hands. 101:27. They shall perish but thou remainest: and all of them shall grow old like a garment: And as a vesture thou shalt change them, and they shall be changed. 101:28. But thou art always the selfsame, and thy years shall not fail. 101:29. The children of thy servants shall continue and their seed shall be directed for ever. Psalms Chapter 102 Benedic, anima. Thanksgiving to God for his mercies. 102:1. For David himself. Bless the Lord, O my soul: and let all that is within me bless his holy name. 102:2. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all he hath done for thee. 102:3. Who forgiveth all thy iniquities: who healeth all thy diseases. 102:4. Who redeemeth thy life from destruction: who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion.

[Hymns] 3 No base thing will I suffer before mine eyes to be. I hate unfaithful doing; it shall not cleave to me. 4 The man whose heart is froward shall from my presence go; And nothing that is evil will I consent to know. 5 I'll cut him off that slanders his neighbour secretly; A proud heart I'll not suffer, nor him whose looks are high. 6 Mine eyes shall see the faithful, that they may dwell with me; The man whose walk is perfect my minister shall be. 7 No man of works deceitful within my house shall dwell; Nor in my sight shall tarry the man who lies doth tell. 8 Each morn to all the wicked I judgment will accord, To free from evildoers the city of the Lord. Psalm 102 A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the Lord. First Version (C.M.) 1 O Lord, unto my pray'r give ear, my cry let come to thee; 2 And in the day of my distress hide not thy face from me. Give ear to me; what time I call, to answer me make haste: 3 For, as an hearth, my bones are burnt, my days, like smoke, do waste. 4 My heart within me smitten is, and it is withered Like very grass; so that I do forget to eat my bread. 5 By reason of my groaning voice my bones cleave to my skin. 6 Like pelican in wilderness forsaken I have been: I like an owl in desert am, that nightly there doth moan; 7 I watch, and like a sparrow am on the house-top alone. 8 My bitter en'mies all the day reproaches cast on me; And, being mad at me, with rage against me sworn they be.