Personal Appeal to God for Mercy in the Midst of National Judgment. Psalm 102
“1) Hear my prayer, O Lord! And let my cry for help come to You. 2) Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my distress; Incline Your ear to me; In the day when I call answer me quickly. 3) For my days have been consumed in smoke, And my bones have been scorched like a hearth. 4) My heart has been smitten like grass and has withered away, Indeed, I forget to eat my bread. 5) Because of the loudness of my groaning My bones cling to my flesh. 6) I resemble a pelican of the wilderness; I have become like an owl of the waste places.
12) But You, O Lord, abide forever, And Your name to all generations. 13) You will arise and have compassion on Zion; For it is time to be gracious to her, For the appointed time has come.
18)This will be written for the generation to come, That a people yet to be created may praise the Lord. 19) For He looked down from His holy height; From heaven the Lord gazed upon the earth, 20) To hear the groaning of the prisoner, To set free those who were doomed to death,”. Psalms 102:1-6, 12-13, 18-20
This Psalm was written during a time of national distress. It was most likely during a time of judgement on Israel as a nation. The suffering was real and wide spread. It affected everyone.
The Psalm opens by acknowledging the pain and suffering and begs God to listen and have mercy. The writer was suffering and the land was mostly likely in a famine.
Starting with verse twelve, the writer begins to focus on God. He acknowledges that God is eternal and in control. He also makes the case that God’s own reputation is at stake in the outcome of the way His people are being treated. It is a plea for mercy and compassion.
It is not disclosed which national judgement was underway, but a survey of the Old Testament reveals many. Israel was constantly rebelling and running from God. He disciplined His people like a loving Father, but at times the corrective measures were painful.
Many times the judgement merely involved God standing back and turning them over to the consequences of their own sinful ways. (See Romans 1:18-32) Few things alarm me more than being abandoned by God. Sin is a cruel taskmaster.
Then with verse eighteen, the writer focuses on the generations to come. He acknowledges that God has a long term plan for Israel and the world. He maintains that the existence of God is the only hope for humanity. I agree! Apart from God, mankind would quickly destroy itself.
It is a harsh reality that we all live within the dynamics of “our time.” I believe the world is in a unique time right now. The opening of this decade has been a whirlwind. This Psalm is very relevant for many people in our days.
It is also true that God can and does set apart the godly man or woman for Himself. (See Psalm 4:3) God can and does show favor to the godly even when a nation might be undergoing judgement. There are always tangible benefits to walking with God. Seeking God is always the right course of action no matter how difficult our circumstances. Though suffering, the writer was on track in seeking after God.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“1) Hear my prayer, O Lord! And let my cry for help come to You. 2) Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my distress; Incline Your ear to me; In the day when I call answer me quickly. 3) For my days have been consumed in smoke, And my bones have been scorched like a hearth. 4) My heart has been smitten like grass and has withered away, Indeed, I forget to eat my bread. 5) Because of the loudness of my groaning My bones cling to my flesh. 6) I resemble a pelican of the wilderness; I have become like an owl of the waste places.
12) But You, O Lord, abide forever, And Your name to all generations. 13) You will arise and have compassion on Zion; For it is time to be gracious to her, For the appointed time has come.
18)This will be written for the generation to come, That a people yet to be created may praise the Lord. 19) For He looked down from His holy height; From heaven the Lord gazed upon the earth, 20) To hear the groaning of the prisoner, To set free those who were doomed to death,”. Psalms 102:1-6, 12-13, 18-20
This Psalm was written during a time of national distress. It was most likely during a time of judgement on Israel as a nation. The suffering was real and wide spread. It affected everyone.
The Psalm opens by acknowledging the pain and suffering and begs God to listen and have mercy. The writer was suffering and the land was mostly likely in a famine.
Starting with verse twelve, the writer begins to focus on God. He acknowledges that God is eternal and in control. He also makes the case that God’s own reputation is at stake in the outcome of the way His people are being treated. It is a plea for mercy and compassion.
It is not disclosed which national judgement was underway, but a survey of the Old Testament reveals many. Israel was constantly rebelling and running from God. He disciplined His people like a loving Father, but at times the corrective measures were painful.
Many times the judgement merely involved God standing back and turning them over to the consequences of their own sinful ways. (See Romans 1:18-32) Few things alarm me more than being abandoned by God. Sin is a cruel taskmaster.
Then with verse eighteen, the writer focuses on the generations to come. He acknowledges that God has a long term plan for Israel and the world. He maintains that the existence of God is the only hope for humanity. I agree! Apart from God, mankind would quickly destroy itself.
It is a harsh reality that we all live within the dynamics of “our time.” I believe the world is in a unique time right now. The opening of this decade has been a whirlwind. This Psalm is very relevant for many people in our days.
It is also true that God can and does set apart the godly man or woman for Himself. (See Psalm 4:3) God can and does show favor to the godly even when a nation might be undergoing judgement. There are always tangible benefits to walking with God. Seeking God is always the right course of action no matter how difficult our circumstances. Though suffering, the writer was on track in seeking after God.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
