A Prayer of the Afflicted Psalm 102 Psalm

A Prayer of the Afflicted Psalm 102

Psalm 102 • Written during a time when Judah is facing oppression (possibly Babylonian captivity) • “A prayer of the Afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before the Lord. ”

Lamentations (1 -11) • Hear my prayer! (1) • A time of despair. Author is stressed and in misery • It seems God is not answering (2)

Lamentations (1 -11) • Days consumed (3) • Body broken (3 -5) • Loneliness (6 -7) • Enemies reproach (8)

Lamentations (1 -11) • Food of ashes and tears (9) • A product of God’s indignation and wrath (10) • Shortened days (11)

Lamentations (1 -11) • Do we ever find ourselves in a similar condition? • In despair, we pour out our hearts to God but we don’t seem to receive an answer? We are guilty and unworthy?

Lamentations (1 -11) • God is there! • He knows what is best (Isa. 55: 89) • We cannot expect favoritism • Adversity can produce good (Heb. 12: 5 -11, Jas. 1: 2 -3, Rom. 5: 3 -5) • Sometimes we need to repent! (Isa. 59: 2)

Mercy on Zion (12 -22) • The psalmist acknowledges that God’s will shall prevail • NOTE: In this section we find the hope of return and rebuilding. • It is possible that we also find a Messianic hope – as we shall see

Mercy on Zion (12 -22) • The Lord will endure (12) • Remembered throughout all generations • Mercy on Zion (13)

Mercy on Zion (12 -22) • “For the time to favor her, yes, the set time, has come” (13 -14) • The captivity was 70 years (2 Chron. 36: 20 -21, Jer. 25: 11 -12) • So was the coming of the Lord (Gal. 4: 4)

Mercy on Zion (12 -22) • “So nations shall fear the name of the Lord” (15 -17) • Cyrus decreed their return (2 Chron. 36: 22 -23) • He will regard the prayers of the destitute (cf. Luke 4: 40 -43)

Mercy on Zion (12 -22) • “This will be written for the generation to come” (18) • Events preserved by the Lord for our learning • Rom. 15: 4, 4: 23 -24, 1 Cor. 9: 9 -10, 2 Pet. 1: 20 -21 • Do we preserve that which we have learned – cf. Deut. 31: 19

Mercy on Zion (12 -22) • “That a people yet created may praise the Lord” (18) • Generations in Jerusalem • Spiritually, when we obey the gospel 2 Cor. 5: 17

Mercy on Zion (12 -22) • “God looked down from His sanctuary” (19) • HE heard the cries of prisoners groaning • Spiritually, the “prison” of sin Isaiah 61: 1 -2 (Lk. 4: 18)

Mercy on Zion (12 -22) • “Release those appointed to death” (20) • Released after captivity • Released from curse of sin Eph. 2: 2 -5

Mercy on Zion (12 -22) • “To declare His name of the Lord in Zion” (21 -22) • Released after captivity did declare His greatness • Do we declare His goodness? 1 Pet. 2: 9

Eternity of God (23 -28) • The psalmist’s end is near and he pleads for more time Like Jesus in Garden (Matt. 26: 39) • He declares the eternity of God, while the earth will cease • Spoken of Christ in Heb. 1: 10 -12

Eternity of God (23 -28) • His servants will also continue (28) • So will we! Cf. 1 Thess. 4: 17

The psalmist writes with hope of Judah… …and for us! Where is your hope?