 |
A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD
Psalm 102:1-28 KJV
The Word of God Says:
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee. [2] Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily. [3] For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth. [4] My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread. [5] By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin. [6] I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. [7] I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top. [8] Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me. [9] For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping, [10] Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down. [11] My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass. [12] But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations. [13] Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. [14] For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof. [15] So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory. [16] When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory. [17] He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer. [18] This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD. [19] For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth; [20] To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; [21] To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem; [22] When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD. [23] He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days. [24] I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. [25] Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. [26] They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: [27] But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. [28] The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.
God Bless His Holy Word
Psalm 102 serves as a poignant prayer echoing the cries of an individual who finds themselves in the depths of affliction, vividly expressing their sorrow and desperation to God amidst profound distress and suffering. This heartfelt supplication captures the raw emotions of despair, highlighting the speaker’s burgeoning sense of hopelessness, as they grapple with the very real feelings of their life waning away, their health deteriorating, and the overwhelming isolation they experience while being relentlessly pursued by adversaries. Yet, in an inspiring turn, the psalm transitions to a confident declaration affirming God's eternal nature, promising that He will extend compassion towards Zion, attend to the prayers of the needy, and ensure that His praises resonate through the ages to come.
### Part 1: The Plea of the Afflicted
**Addressing the Lord:**
The prayer begins with a profound and earnest plea directed towards the Lord, where the speaker implores God to lend an attentive ear to their heart-wrenching cries for help. With a sense of urgency, they beseech God to not turn away or conceal His presence during their darkest hour of distress—this plea signifies not only the depth of their suffering but also an unwavering belief that solace can only be found in the divine.
**Describing Suffering:**
As the speaker unfurls their lament, they use vivid imagery to describe their agonizing plight. Their days are depicted as dissipating like wisps of smoke in the wind, ephemeral and insubstantial. They vividly recount the physical torment they endure, likening their bones to those aflame in an unrelenting furnace—a powerful metaphor for unrelenting pain. The overwhelming anguish has sapped their vitality, as they lament the loss of appetite, leaving them emaciated, reduced to mere skin and bones, a stark representation of their fragile state.
**Expressing Loneliness and Taunting:**
The emotional landscape of the speaker grows even darker as they describe a profound loneliness, likening themselves to a solitary bird or a desolate owl perched in the wilderness—symbols of isolation and despair. They are not only suffering in silence but are also subjected to mockery and derision from their enemies, who taunt them with curses, deepening their sense of abandonment and torment.
**Acknowledging God's Wrath:**
In the depth of despair, the speaker feels the weight of divine wrath upon them, as if they are consuming ashes instead of food, their tears merging with their drinks, symbolizing immense grief and sorrow. They articulate the painful experience of feeling elevated only to be harshly cast back down, reflecting a tumultuous relationship with God that leaves them feeling both lifted and forsaken.
### Part 2: The Hope in God's Eternal Nature and Mercy
**Acknowledging God's Eternity:**
As the psalm unfolds, there is a striking contrast drawn between the fleeting nature of human life and the everlasting essence of God. The speaker acknowledges that while their existence feels precarious and transient, God is established upon His eternal throne, reigning forever—a beacon of hope amidst their plight. His renown, they declare, will endure through all generations, leading the way for future expressions of faith.
**Trusting in God's Plan:**
With the spirit of the prayer shifting to one imbued with hope, the speaker confidently asserts that God will rise from His heavenly abode to show compassion on Zion. They prophesy the appointed moment when God will favor His afflicted people, indicating that divine intervention is not only possible but imminent, heralding a time of renewal and restoration.
**Recognizing God's Power:**
The psalmist proclaims with certainty that God will not only rebuild Zion but will also manifest His glory among His people. This promise underscores God’s benevolence and commitment to those who suffer, emphasizing that He will not overlook the pleas of the destitute. Their cries will ascend to Him, met with love and understanding rather than neglect.
**Affirming God's Promises:**
As this powerful prayer comes to a close, the speaker expresses a deep yearning for their heartfelt petition to be chronicled for the generations that follow. They foresee a time when future descendants will join in praise of the Lord, celebrating His attentiveness to the cries of the oppressed. God, they affirm, has looked down in compassion, hearing the groans of the prisoner and providing liberation for those condemned to a fate filled with despair. Ultimately, this prayer not only reflects an anguished present but heralds a hopeful future—a time in which God’s servants will experience security and peace, living under the enduring promise of His eternal love and compassion.
Comments
Post a Comment