4 My heart H3820 is smitten, H5221 and withered H3001 like grass; H6212 so that I forget H7911 to eat H398 my bread. H3899
For they shall soon H4120 be cut down H5243 like the grass, H2682 and wither H5034 as the green H3418 herb. H1877
The grass H2682 withereth, H3001 the flower H6731 fadeth: H5034 because the spirit H7307 of the LORD H3068 bloweth H5380 upon it: surely H403 the people H5971 is grass. H2682
Then Ezra H5830 rose up H6965 from before H6440 the house H1004 of God, H430 and went H3212 into the chamber H3957 of Johanan H3076 the son H1121 of Eliashib: H475 and when he came H3212 thither, he did eat H398 no bread, H3899 nor drink H8354 water: H4325 for he mourned H56 because of the transgression H4604 of them that had been carried away. H1473
For I have eaten H398 ashes H665 like bread, H3899 and mingled H4537 my drink H8249 with weeping, H1065
And G2532 he was G2258 three G5140 days G2250 without G3361 sight, G991 and G2532 neither G3756 did eat G5315 nor G3761 drink. G4095
And G2532 he took with him G3880 Peter G4074 and G2532 the two G1417 sons G5207 of Zebedee, G2199 and began G756 to be sorrowful G3076 and G2532 very heavy. G85 Then G5119 saith he G3004 unto them, G846 My G3450 soul G5590 is G2076 exceeding sorrowful, G4036 even unto G2193 death: G2288 tarry ye G3306 here, G5602 and G2532 watch G1127 with G3326 me. G1700
My soul H5315 hath them still H2142 in remembrance, H2142 and is humbled H7743 in me.
He hath caused the arrows H1121 of his quiver H827 to enter H935 into my reins. H3629
For the enemy H341 hath persecuted H7291 my soul; H5315 he hath smitten H1792 my life H2416 down H1792 to the ground; H776 he hath made me to dwell H3427 in darkness, H4285 as those that have been long H5769 dead. H4191 Therefore is my spirit H7307 overwhelmed H5848 within me; my heart H3820 within H8432 me is desolate. H8074
My days H3117 are like a shadow H6738 that declineth; H5186 and I am withered H3001 like grass. H6212
And as he did H6213 so year H8141 by year, H8141 when H1767 she went up H5927 to the house H1004 of the LORD, H3068 so she provoked H3707 her; therefore she wept, H1058 and did not eat. H398 Then said H559 Elkanah H511 her husband H376 to her, Hannah, H2584 why weepest H1058 thou? and why eatest H398 thou not? and why is thy heart H3824 grieved? H3415 am not I better H2896 to thee than ten H6235 sons? H1121
Reproach H2781 hath broken H7665 my heart; H3820 and I am full of heaviness: H5136 and I looked H6960 for some to take pity, H5110 but there was none; and for comforters, H5162 but I found H4672 none.
Have mercy H2603 upon me, O LORD; H3068 for I am weak: H536 O LORD, H3068 heal H7495 me; for my bones H6106 are vexed. H926 My soul H5315 is also sore H3966 vexed: H926 but thou, O LORD, H3068 how long?
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 102
Commentary on Psalms 102 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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.
4. (Compare Ps 121:6).
so that I forget—or, "have forgotten," that is, in my distress (Ps 107:18), and hence strength fails.
5. voice … groaning—effect put for cause, my agony emaciates me.
6, 7. The figures express extreme loneliness.
8. sworn against me—or literally, "by me," wishing others as miserable as I am (Nu 5:21).
9. ashes—a figure of grief, my bread; weeping or tears, my drink (Ps 80:5).
10. lifted … cast me down—or, "cast me away" as stubble by a whirlwind (Isa 64:6).
11. shadow … declineth—soon to vanish in the darkness of night.
12. Contrast with man's frailty (compare Ps 90:1-7).
thy remembrance—that by which Thou art remembered, Thy promise.
13, 14. Hence it is here adduced.
for—or, "when."
the set time, &c.—the time promised, the indication of which is the interest felt for Zion by the people of God.
15-17. God's favor to the Church will affect her persecutors with fear.
16. When the Lord shall build—or better, "Because the Lord hath built," &c., as a reason for the effect on others; for in thus acting and hearing the humble, He is most glorious.
18. people … created—(compare Ps 22:31), an organized body, as a Church.
19-22. For—or, "That," as introducing the statement of God's condescension. A summary of what shall be written.
to loose … appointed—or, "deliver" them (Ps 79:11).
21. To declare, &c.—or, that God's name may be celebrated in the assemblies of His Church, gathered from all nations (Zec 8:20-23), and devoted to His service.
23-28. The writer, speaking for the Church, finds encouragement in the midst of all his distresses. God's eternal existence is a pledge of faithfulness to His promises.
in the way—of providence.
weakened—literally, "afflicted," and made fearful of a premature end, a figure of the apprehensions of the Church, lest God might not perform His promise, drawn from those of a person in view of the dangers of early death (compare Ps 89:47). Paul (Heb 1:10) quotes Ps 102:26-28 as addressed to Christ in His divine nature. The scope of the Psalm, as already seen, so far from opposing, favors this view, especially by the sentiments of Ps 102:12-15 (compare Isa 60:1). The association of the Messiah with a day of future glory to the Church was very intimate in the minds of Old Testament writers; and with correct views of His nature it is very consistent that He should be addressed as the Lord and Head of His Church, who would bring about that glorious future on which they ever dwelt with fond delightful anticipations.