Psalms Chapter 102

“Hear my prayer, O Lord, etc.] The prayer of a poor, destitute, and afflicted one; his own, and not another’s; not what was composed for him, but composed by him; which came out of his own heart, and out of unfeigned lips, and expressed under a feeling sense of his own wants and troubles; and though dictated and inwrought in his heart by the Spirit of God, yet, being put up by him in faith and fervency, it is called his own, and which he desires might be heard: and let my cry come unto thee; he calls his prayer cry, because it was uttered in distress, and with great vehemency and importunity; and he prays that it…”

“A Psalm of joyous praise, in which the writer rises from a thankful acknowledgment of personal blessings to a lively celebration of God's gracious attributes, as not only intrinsically worthy of praise, but as specially suited to man's frailty. He concludes by invoking all creatures to unite in his song. (Psa. 103:1-22) Bless, &c.--when God is the object, praise. my soul--myself (Psa 3:3; Psa 25:1), with allusion to the act, as one of intelligence. all . . . within me-- (Deu 6:5). his holy name-- (Psa 5:11), His complete moral perfections.”

“Hear my prayer, O Lord - The prayer which I offer in view of my personal trials; the prayer which I offer as one of an afflicted people. Compare Psalms 4:1; Psalms 17:1; Psalms 18:6. And let my cry come unto thee - My prayer, accompanied with an outward expression of my earnestness. It was not a silent, or a mental prayer; it was a loud and earnest cry. Psalms 5:2; Psalms 18:6, Psalms 18:41; Psalms 30:2; Psalms 72:12; Job 35:9; Job 36:13. return to 'Top of Page'”

“An hearth - An hearth is heated or burnt by the coals which are laid upon it. Psalms 102:5”

“Ps 102 A frail and afflicted human being prays for the Lord’s compassion on Jerusalem and for his presence with its inhabitants. 102:1-2 The psalmist appeals to the Lord not to turn away (or hide your face). Israel experienced his turning his face away during their exile.”

“of: or, for overwhelmed: Psa 12:5, Psa 61:2, Psa 69:1, Psa 69:2, Psa 142:2, Psa 142:3, Psa 143:4; Lam 3:18-20; Mar 14:33, Mar 14:34; Luk 22:44; Heb 5:7 poureth: Psa 42:4, Psa 62:8, Psa 77:3, Psa 142:2; Sa1 1:15, Sa1 1:16 Hear: Psa 5:2, Psa 55:1-5, Psa 57:1-3, Psa 130:1, Psa 130:2, Psa 41:1, Psa 41:2, Psa 143:7, Psa 145:19 let my: Psa 18:6; Exo 2:23; Jdg 10:16; Sa1 9:16; Ch2 30:27; Lam 3:8, Lam 3:44 Psalms 102:2”

“The Psalm opens with familiar expressions of prayer, such as rise in the heart and mouth of the praying one without his feeling that they are of foreign origin; cf. more especially Psa 39:13; Psa 18:7; Psa 88:3; and on Psa 102:3 : Psa 27:9 (Hide not Thy face from me); Psa 59:17 (ביום צר לי); Psa 31:3 and frequently (Incline Thine ear unto me); Psa 56:10 (ביום אקוא); Psa 69:8; Psa 143:7 (מהר ענני). Psalms 102:3”