Breathingbook

This study on Psalm 102 goes hand in hand with Heb 1:10-12 Jesus’ Nature Eternal which quotes Psa 102:25-27.

Usually I cover the Old Testament reference to the verse I’m working on before I do the Hebrews section, but since the only way to really explain what’s going on with the suffering of the man under affliction is through the Book of Job, I changed things up a bit. That’s taken some time, but we’re finally on our way.

Let’s see how Heb 1:10-12 quotes Psa 102:25-27 below.

Heb 1:10-12 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of Thine hands: 11 They shall perish; but Thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; 12 And as a vesture shalt Thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but Thou art the same, and Thy years shall not fail.

Psa 102:25-27 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.

Psalm 102 is a prayer of petition – somewhat of a complaint – by a man (the psalmist) who is going through a time of great affliction. The introduction to Psa 102 says it is “A Prayer of the afflicted.” Although the man is undergoing suffering, the affliction is not about God being desirous of anyone suffering, but rather about believers “enduring” the suffering we may often find unavoidable.

Mat 13:20-21 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

After all, Heb 1:10-12 quotes Psa 102:25-27, and says the Father said this about the Son, so we know God spoke through the psalmist while he was in affliction. Now, the Book of Hebrews also happens to be about enduring through suffering, but this psalm is not only about going through suffering, but also touches, again, upon the promise of Zion (vs.13-18). Zion (Sion/New Jerusalem) is another theme in the Book of Hebrews (Heb11:10,14-16;12:22; 13:14).

Remember, back in Heb 1:8,9 we got our first inference towards Zion through it’s pointing to Psa 45 and the gentile consort queen (Psa 45:9-16). So the very next verse’s ( Heb 1:10-12) inference about Zion (Sion/New Jerusalem) is no small coincidence. Later on in Heb 12:18-24, Zion (Sion/New Jerusalem) is discussed again, so all this ties together very nicely, contextually. For more about the gentile consort queen please read Psa 45: A Wedding For Jesus.

Though the man is afflicted, the affliction is not about God desiring the man pain, but rather that he maintain “endurance” through the pain to the end of it. You see, God doesn’t pour His wrath out on His children (1 Thes 5:9), but He does instruct them in His ways (Heb 12:5-11). God wants us to look beyond whatever circumstances are in our lives and see His ultimate love and faithfulness to us.

God never leaves us or forsakes us (Heb 13:5), but the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Job 28:28; Psa 111:10; Prov 9:10) and there’s just no getting around that.

Hebrews chapter 11 is devoted to listing many faithful believers who endured trials of great suffering. Most never obtained the promises they were searching for (Heb 11:13), but they went through those things so that others might obtain them. Heb 11:39-40 specifically points to their requiring us to be made perfect, but we actually need them just as much as they needed us.

Psa 102:1 A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and poureth out his complaint before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.

A Prayer of the afflicted The Hebrew word for “prayer” is “tephillah” and means to make a “supplication,” which is a petition for “supply” or “help.” In other words, Lord, supply my needs? Lord, I need your help? Lord, I need help only you can give?” This is the purpose of prayer.

The Heb word for affliction is “‘aniy,” which means “depressed in mind or circumstances.” So, the psalmist is afflicted, depressed and praying to the Lord for help.

when he is overwhelmed and poureth out his complaint before the LORD The Heb word for “overwhelmed” is “‘ataph“ and describes one who feels like a shroud of darkness has come over him. The word “complaint” is the Heb word “siyach” and means he pours out his deepest thoughts in desperation, pleading for God to look his way and help him.

Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto Thee The Heb word for “cry” is “shav’ah” and is a kind of “hallooing” type of cry. Think of one “hallooing” or “wailing away” in agony; one who’s lost all concern about who’s going to hear him.

Psa 102:2 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.

Hide not thy face… incline thine ear… answer me speedily These words are a plea for God not to delay any longer in helping. In 1 Cor 13: 4-7, the scripture says, “Charity (agape; love) suffereth long…” and 2 Cor 12:9 says, God’s “strength” is made perfect “through weakness.” Though any delay when one is enduring affliction or trial is extremely trying, there will always be times when God requires our patient faith in the face of a delay. God will respond, but there are many things this side of the veil that we just cannot comprehend.

We must believe God is faithful and continue in faith.

Psa 102:3-5 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.

days… like smoke… bones… burned… heart smitten… withered… The psalmist’s days are cloudy and dark; he cannot see clearly like he was once able to. These are all expressions of deep inner pain and an attempt to describe the broken heart, and feeling of wasting away the man feels.

The use of the expression about one’s bones refers to one’s pain going deep, even to the very core of their being. Job also speaks of this in Job 30:17,30.

I forget to eat…. my groaning my bones In his affliction, the man has no appetite, yet his body groans for nourishment. He feels he is wasting away.

Psa 102:6 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.

like a pelican of the wilderness A “pelican” belongs (and can only survive) near water. A pelican in the wilderness is dry, thirsty, and dislocated. The “wilderness” describes a feeling of being in a vast, deserted, solitary place of deep inspection. The clearest example of what the “wilderness” represents comes from the Book of Revelations, where the woman clothed with the sun (Rev 12:1) goes into the “wilderness” for “1260 days” (Rev 12:6,14). Thereafter the serpent pursues her. Simultaneously, the two witnesses prophesy for “1260 days” (Rev 11:3). In Rev 11:1,2 it says the Gentiles will trample the temple courtyard for “forty and two months” and Rev 13:5 says the beast will continue for “forty and two months.”

“Forty and two months” is “1260 days.”

Thus, the “wilderness” is a phrase which indicates “trying times of great inspection.”

like an owl of the desert The owl comes out mainly at night and lives mostly a solitary life. The psalmist is about to say he watches, as if looking for some sign, a clue, or deliverance. An owl is noted for being able to turn his head in all directions without turning his body. This describes one in the desert – the wilderness – looking everywhere for answers.

I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top Here the psalmist describes himself as a sparrow watching alone upon the house top. A watchman normally watches so he may alert for incoming message or attack.

Oddly, sparrows are usually found in groups. They naturally do this for protection, but since the psalmist has taken up his station solitary, it just might be because those who would normally watch with him, have left him. This is like Job’s three “friends” who came to comfort, but instead became his adversaries (Job 16:10-11; 17:4; 19:2-6; 27:5-7).

Psa 102:8-9 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me. 9 For (that; since; because) I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping

Mine enemies reproach me all the day The psalmist speaks of receiving reproach from those who are his enemies. The Heb word for reproach is “charaph,” meaning they have stripped and exposed him, defaming his name all the day.

they that are mad against me are sworn against me The Heb word for “mad” is “halal” and does not mean “anger or wrath,” but rather that they are making a loud uproar, acting foolishly, and boasting of things they know not. They’ve solidified their position against him in as if taking an oath. In other words, these fools are sure they are right about their assessment and have let others know it by their behavior.

For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping The Hebrew word “For,” here is “‘asher,” and means “that; since; because,” indicating the reason these “mad” ones are acting so foolish or crazy is because the man has been eating ashes and weeping into his “wine.” Apparently, they’ve taken a stand in judgment against him, because they don’t understand what’s happening to him. After all, he’s been overwhelmed, depressed, hallooing , eating ashes and crying into his drink.

Now, take a look back again at Job: first, Job’s children and some of his livestock die, then his servants were murdered and his livestock stolen (Job 1:14-19). Then, he’s stricken with a boil type affliction (that oozes and gets worms) from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet (Job 2:7-8). He looses the respect and friendship of everyone he knows, he’s accused of wickedness, people spit at him, mock him, etc., and this goes on for months (Job 7:3). Yet, Job was a man of God and after his affliction ended, God restored all that that Job had (Job 42:10) and doubled it.

So, what’s evident about these “enemies” and the stand they took against him is that obviously they were wrong. It’s his words (Psa 102:25-27) quoted as being said by God in the NT ( Heb 1:10-12) and like Job, he has been given a lasting legacy (Job 19:23) in the most popular and important book of all time: the Holy Bible. His enemies are not remembered at all except for their shame.

Psa 102:10-11 Because of thine indignation (neuter gender; not directed at any one person; could be towards a group) 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.

thine indignation and Thy wrath The Heb word for “indignation” is “za’am.” This word actually is in the neuter gender which means the psalmist is saying God’s indignation is not necessarily directed towards any one person here. The gist of it is, the psalmist did not particularly name himself or the group, but appears to have suggested God had an overall displeasure over sin in general, which, historically, He does.

thou has lifted me up, and cast me down Like many servants of the Lord, life has been unpredictable for the psalmist. He’s is up one day and down the next. He’s had his time of great heights and had this drastically changed to a time of waiting to see what the Lord will do next. This is similar to what Job experienced: one day everything was fine and the next everything had changed. The same happened to Joseph: one day he’s on his way to check on his brothers (wearing his coat of many colors) and the next day he’s a slave being carted off to Egypt (Gen 37:28). The Apostle Paul described a few of his downsides in 2 Cor 11:23-30. One day he’s preaching, the next he’s getting beaten and thrown into prison.

days are like a shadow that declineth… withered like grass His day’s “like a shadow that declineth” speaks of the way the shadows shrink away as the sun sets. These words are rather symbolic of the way the man believes he is going to die. In other words, he feels this is the last sunset of his life.

“Withered like grass” speaks of a waterless; drought-like season of not being visited or comforted by the Lord, but that’s about to change.

This study will be continued in Psalm 102: A Prayer of the Afflicted Part 2

Peace out!

Loris