Bible Commentaries
Psalms 102

Verse 1

Title. A Prayer, &c. This refers to Messiah ' s humiliation.

before. See note on "presence" (Psalms 95:2 ).

LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

face. See note on "presence" (Psalms 95:2 ).

Verse 3

like smoke. So some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, and Vulgate; other codices read "in smoke".

an hearth = charred wood.

Verse 4

bread. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6 , for food in general.

Verse 5

skin = flesh.

Verse 6

a pelican . . . owl: both unclean birds.

alone. Some codices, with one early printed edition, read "flitting to and fro".

Verse 8

are sworn against me = are sworn [together] against me; as in Acts 23:12-21 .

Verse 10

Because of = from the face of. See note on Psalms 95:2 .

Verse 12

But Thou. Emphasizing the great consolation.

shalt endure. Sittest, or wilt sit [enthroned].

Thy remembrance. Some codices read "Thy throne".

Verse 13

mercy = compassion.

Zion. See App-68 .

the set time. First, the end of the seventy years (Daniel 9:2 .Nehemiah 2:17-20 ; Nehemiah 3:1-32 ); and second, the still future set time in God's counsels. All this is prophecy. No need to think it was written after Jerusalem's desolation. David was a prophet (Acts 2:30 , Acts 2:31 ). Compare Isaiah 40:2 ; Isaiah 61:2 .

Verse 14

stones. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), for the restored buildings.

Verse 15

heathen = nations.

name. See note on Psalms 20:1 .

glory. Always mentioned in connection with Messiah's sufferings. Compare verses: Psalms 102:1-12 . See App-71 .

Verse 16

appear in His glory. This shows that all is prophetic. Compare Isaiah 60:1-3 .

Verse 18

the generation to come = a generation to come. Showing that all here is future.

the = a.

created: i.e. the new Israel (Psalms 22:31 .Isaiah 43:1-7 , Isaiah 43:18-21 ; Isaiah 66:8 ). This is the new nation referred to in Matthew 21:43 .

THE LORD. Hebrew Jah. App-4 .

Verse 19

the height of His sanctuary = His holy height.

Verse 20

those . . . appointed to death = the sons of death. Genitive of Relation. The Hebrew word for "death" occurs only here and Psalms 79:11 . It is feminine, as though the mother. Compare Romans 8:36 , and see App-17 (5).

Verse 22

When, &c. Compare Psalms 22:27 ; Psalms 68:32 .Isaiah 45:14 . Fulfilling Genesis 49:10 .

Verse 23

He weakened. A return to the subject corresponding with (verses: Psalms 102:3-11 ), above.

in the way: i.e. of His humiliation.

Verse 24

my GOD. Hebrew. Eli = my El. App-4 .

Verse 25

Of old, &c. Quoted in Hebrews 1:10-12 , which shows this Psalm is all prophetic of Messiah.

Verse 27

the same: or He. Compare Isaiah 41:4 ; Isaiah 43:10 .

Verse 28

children = sons.

shall continue = shall dwell [in the Land].