Psalms 102 KJV: A Cry of the Overwhelmed Soul

Psalms 102 documents the raw, honest prayer of a person whose heart is withered like grass and whose bones burn like a hearth. It transitions from a visceral description of personal suffering to a soaring meditation on the unchangeable nature of God, who remains the same while the heavens wax old. This chapter provides a template for pouring out one's 'complaint' before the Lord when physical and emotional strength is gone.

  1. v1-11: The Physical and Emotional Agony of the Sufferer
  2. v12-22: The Hope of Zion's Restoration and God's Eternity
  3. v23-28: Finding Security in the Unchanging God

Psalms chapter 102

Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.
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.
For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.
My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.
By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.
I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.
I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.
For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping.
Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.
My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.
But thou, O LORD, shall endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.
Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.
For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.
So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.
When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.
For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;
To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;
To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.
I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.
Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
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:
But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.

Find a way forward through suffering by anchoring your temporary pain in the permanent, unshifting character of God. Begin your study with psalms 102 summary.

The psalmist compares himself to a 'pelican of the wilderness' and a 'sparrow alone on the house top,' capturing the profound isolation that often accompanies chronic grief. The 'Word Secret' is *Anah*, meaning 'to be bowed down' or 'afflicted,' describing the soul's physical response to intense pressure. Discover the riches with psalms 102 commentary, containing expert led word study (original greek/hebrew) and passage level analysis.

Unlock the hidden psalms 102 1 meaning and summary by exploring context, analyzing original greek and hebrew words, and studying cross references of each verse.

Have a question about this chapter or a revelation to share? Connect with the Body of Christ to express your heart and find biblical answers within the Psalms 102 fellowship.

Explore psalms 102 images, wallpapers, art, audio, video, maps, infographics and timelines

3 min read (455 words)