Overview: (NET) The psalmist laments his oppressed state, but longs for a day when the Lord will restore Jerusalem and vindicate his suffering people.
Background: (EBC) This lament arises out of an exilic situation...
102:13 You will rise up and have compassion on Zion.
For it is time to have mercy on her,
for the appointed time has come.
102:14 Indeed, your servants take delight in her stones,
and feel compassion for the dust of her ruins.
The Lord had decreed seventy years for Babylon’s hegemony, and thereafter it would fall. With the Fall of Babylon, the “time” (“the appointed time”) of God’s favor would begin the era of restoration.
For it is time to have mercy on her,
for the appointed time has come.
102:14 Indeed, your servants take delight in her stones,
and feel compassion for the dust of her ruins.
The Lord had decreed seventy years for Babylon’s hegemony, and thereafter it would fall. With the Fall of Babylon, the “time” (“the appointed time”) of God’s favor would begin the era of restoration.
Outline: (Kel-Ps)
I. Call to God: The psalmist prays that God will answer him speedily (1–2).
II. Complaint: The psalmist laments that he is overwhelmed by the reproach of the enemies (3–11).
III. Consolation: The psalmist finds consolation in the fact that the LORD, who abides forever in Zion, will not forsake those who love him but deliver them so that others will praise (12–22).
IV. Conclusion: The LORD had weakened him, but since the LORD dwells forever, the psalmist prayed not to die prematurely (23–28).
Note and reflection:
II. Complaint: The psalmist laments that he is overwhelmed by the reproach of the enemies (3–11).
III. Consolation: The psalmist finds consolation in the fact that the LORD, who abides forever in Zion, will not forsake those who love him but deliver them so that others will praise (12–22).
IV. Conclusion: The LORD had weakened him, but since the LORD dwells forever, the psalmist prayed not to die prematurely (23–28).
Note and reflection:
(1)From v.11 to v.12 (BKC) The complaints of the psalmist (vv. 3–11) were followed by his confidence that the LORD would answer his prayers. You in Hebrew is emphatic, stressing the contrast between the psalmist and the LORD. The transition to praise was sudden: the Lord sits enthroned (cf. comments on 2:4) forever and He would respond, for it was time to show favor to His people in Jerusalem...This indicates that the psalmist had widened his thoughts from his own weakness to reflect on the Lord’s sovereignty, which guaranteed that the city would be restored. Perhaps the psalm was occasioned by a calamity in the capital city. Even so the psalmist was convinced that the Lord would answer the people’s prayer.
What do you think of when you suffer/are down/being persecuted/having anxiety attacks? Even though the psalmist knew that his present situation was a result of God's anger he still chose to go back to God.
What does the future rulership of God bring to you today? Has it ever widened your thoughts and horizons?
(2) From his personal suffering the psalmist called God's attention to His country v.13. When he reviewed the bright future promised by God he asked God not to cut short his life v.23-24. What is the connection? (Kel) The psalmist wants to live; but perhaps more than anything else he wants to see the LORD manifest his glory in Israel’s restoration (much like old Simeon who was waiting for the consolation of Israel in Luke 2)
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