Psalm 102:16-108:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 102:12-22

Many exceedingly great and precious comforts are here thought of, and mustered up, to balance the foregoing complaints; for unto the upright there arises light in the darkness, so that, though they are cast down, they are not in despair. It is bad with the psalmist himself, bad with the people of God; but he has many considerations to revive himself with. I. We are dying creatures, and our interests and comforts are dying, but God is an everliving everlasting God (Ps. 102:12): ?My days are... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 102:16

When the Lord shall build up Zion ,.... The church of God, fallen down, and in a ruinous condition, as it may be said to be when the doctrines of the Gospel are departed from; the ordinances of it are corrupted and altered, or not attended to; the worship and discipline of the Lord's house are neglected; great declensions in faith, love, and zeal, among the professors of religion, and but few instances of conversion: and it may be said to be built up again, as it will be in the latter day,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 102:16

When the Lord shall build up Zion - It is such a difficult thing, so wholly improbable, so far out of the reach of human power, that when God does it, he must manifest his power and glory in a most extraordinary manner. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 102:16

Verse 16 The concluding part of the 16th verse, He hath appeared in his glory, refers to the manifestation which God made of himself when he brought forth his Church from the darkness of death; even as it is said in another place concerning her first deliverance, “Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominions” (Psalms 114:2) In like manner in the present passage, by again gathering to himself his people who were dispersed, and by raising his Church, as it were, from death to life, he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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 102:16

When the Lord shall build up Zion; rather, because the Lord hath built up Zion. The psalmist, in prophetic ecstasy, sees the future as past. The verbs in this and the next verse are all preterite. He shall appear in his glory; rather, hath appeared in his glory (see Isaiah 40:5 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 102:16

When the Lord shall build up Zion. I. WHAT IS THIS WORK HERE SPOKEN OF ? The building up of Zion. 1 . By the conversion of individual souls. The true Church can be built up in no other way. 2 . By the public confession of their faith on the part of these converted ones. If they refuse this, how can the Church be built up? 3 . By their union in the fellowship of the Church. They must openly range themselves on the Lord's side in this his appointed way. 4... read more

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