Psalm 102:19-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 102:1-28

The psalm consists of three main portions: first, a complaint, prefaced by an appeal to God for aid (verses 1-11); secondly, a confident expression of an assured hope and trust in a speedy deliverance (verses 12-22); and thirdly, a contrast between human weakness and God's strength and unchangeableness, resulting in a conviction that, whatever becomes of the writer, the seed of Israel will be preserved and established before God forever (verses 23-28). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 102:1-28

Light arising in darkness. The authorship and therefore the date of this psalm cannot be certainly fixed, or whether it be a national or an individual utterance; probably it is the latter. The alternations of thought and feeling are very noteworthy. We have— I. EARNEST PRAYER . ( Psalms 102:1 , Psalms 102:2 .) There is an ascending scale, reaching to a climax. 1 . That the Lord would hear. "Hear, O Lord." 2 . For close access. "Let my cry come unto thee." Do not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 102:12-27

Changing self; changing world; unchanging God. A very favourite contrast with psalmists and poets. I. A CONTRAST BASED ON A FACT . The fact is that man's life is changeable and brief. This is true of a man's bodily life, intellectual life, and life of relations. It is impressed on a man in his times of sickness, especially when sickness comes breaking into and breaking up his plans, as in the case of king Hezekiah. Here the psalmist puts the fact into two figures—the passing... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 102:13-22

God's care for his people (Christ's care for his Church). The psalm passes from the individual to the nation or the society, and we have an earnest, effectual appeal for Divine pity and restoration. Primarily applicable to the ancient people of God, it applies as well to the recurring necessities of the Christian Church. We have— I. THE COMMUNITY ( THE CHURCH ) IN SORE DISTRESS . It is in a position to receive the mercy— the pity and the redemption of the Lord ( Psalms... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 102:19

For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary. God's true sanctuary is the heaven of heavens wherein he dwells. Earthly sanctuaries are but shadows of this. From heaven did the Lord behold the earth (comp. Exodus 2:23-25 ). As God in the days of old had looked down on the affliction of his people in Egypt, so did he now "look down" and "behold" their sufferings in Babylon. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 102:20

To hear the groaning of the prisoner (see Exodus 2:24 , "God heard their groaning;" and comp. Exodus 3:7 ; Exodus 6:5 ). To loose those that are appointed to death ; literally, the sons of death (comp. Psalms 79:11 ). Captive Israel regarded its life in Babylon as little better than death (see Ezekiel 37:11 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 102:21

To declare the Name of the Lord in Zion ; rather, as in the Revised Version, that men may declare. The great object of Israel's restoration was the glory of God—that Jew and heathen, joined together in one, might unitedly bless God, and praise his glorious Name. The complete fulfilment was, of course, only after the coming of Christ. And his praise in Jerusalem. Especially in the "new Jerusalem" (see the comment on Psalms 102:15 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 102:19

For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary - From his high and holy dwelling-place, in heaven. The word here rendered “looked down,” means, in Kal, to lay upon or over; then, in Niphil, to lie out over anything, to project; and then, to bend forward. It then means to bend or incline forward with an intention to look at anything, as from a window, Genesis 26:8. Compare Psalms 14:2. See also Psalms 85:12, note; 1 Peter 1:12, note.From heaven did the Lord behold the earth - Did he... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 102:20

To hear the groaning of the prisoner - Meaning here, probably, the captives in Babylon; those who were held as prisoners there, and who were subjected to such hardships in their long captivity. See the notes at Psalms 79:11.To loose those that are appointed to death - Margin, as in Hebrew, “the children of death.” Compare the notes at Matthew 1:1. This may mean either those who were sentenced to death; those who were sick and ready to die; or those who, in their captivity, were in such a state... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 102:21

To declare the name of the Lord in Zion ... - That his name might be declared in Zion, or that his praise might be set up in Jerusalem again. That is, that his people might be returned there, and his praise be celebrated again in the holy city. read more

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