Sunday, February 2, 2014
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STUDIES IN PSALMS
A Prayer of the Afflicted
Psalm 102
The message of this psalm is one of grief and sorrow because
of God’s chastening against the nation.
The psalm seems to be one of the righteous who is facing the
wrath of God. He knows it is
justified and wonder’s if it is “the final straw”.
But in the end, the author knows that God will deliver His
people.
It begins with a description of Jerusalem’s state (and that of
the author) (vs. 1-11). But
then it turns into a psalm of hope: Hope for deliverance in time (vs.
12-22) and hope in the eternal power of God (23-28).
Let us notice this psalm.
Because of its length we cannot break it down verse by verse, but
we can develop the general theme of the psalm.
a.
Hear my prayer, let my
cry come before You. In
verses 1-7 the psalmist describes a time of despair in his life.
It is a picture of stress and misery.
i.
It seems that God is not
there when he needs him. Not
answering his prayers.
ii.
His days are consumed
with troubles.
iii.
He feels alone – like a
pelican in the wilderness, an own in the dessert, a lonely sparrow.
iv.
His enemies (captors)
reproach him all day long (8)
v.
His food is ashes and
drink mingled with weeping. (9)
Both of these are signs association with mourning.
Perhaps the description is one so desolate that he is in
continual mourning and the ashes mix with his bread and thus he tastes
them and as he drinks, his tears make it brackish.
vi.
HE acknowledges that
their grief is a product of the indignation and wrath of God (10)
vii.
His days are like a
shadow that lengthens and withering grass – it seems to go on, never
ending – or it is a description of one growing weaker and weaker.
b.
Are there times when we
find ourselves in a similar condition?
i.
We see our needs and we
pour out our hearts to God and it seems as if He doesn’t answer us.
And part of the problem is we see our unworthiness (we don’t
deserve His ear). Just as
when we offend a brother or family member in such an egregious way that
we wonder if they can forgive us.
ii.
But that doesn’t mean
God is not there. We know
that as His children He is there.
We also know:
1.
That we don’t always
know what is best – Isa. 55:8-9
2.
We have no right to
expect favoritism over others.
3.
Sometimes adversity is
the best way to learn – whether chastening from Him (Heb. 12:5-11) or
just dealing with life (Jas. 1:2-3, Rom. 5:3-5, etc.).
4.
Sometimes, we are wrong
and we need to repent so that God’s favor will be us.
a.
In this section the
psalmist acknowledges that God’s will prevails.
Note: It is in these verses that we find the possibility of this
psalm being about Judah in Babylonian captivity.
i.
While men may fade away,
God will not! (12) All
generations will remember Him (more on this in vs. 18)
ii.
“Yes, the set time has
come.” (12) Recall how the
time of captivity for Judah was set at 70 years (2 Chron. 36:20-21, Jer.
25:11-12, etc.)
iii.
He will show mercy on
Zion for the time has come. (13-14) There is hope of deliverance and the
city of Jerusalem being rebuilt.
His servants are looking forward to this
NOTE: Beginning with these verses and going through the end of this psalm,
some see a Messianic hope.
IT certainly is a fitting application and not without proof.
Perhaps this is a dual implication (double fulfillment – one
physical one spiritual).
b.
As this is accomplished,
nations will fear His name (15-17).
Again, scripture records this happening as Cyrus issues a decree
permitting Judah to return and rebuild (cf. 2 Chron. 26:22-23)
i.
The Lord will build up
Zion (Jerusalem was rebuilt, but the ultimate fulfillment of God’s
promises was in sending Jesus to die for us.
In that Zion could be the church – cf. Heb. 12:22, Rev. 14:1, 1
Pet. 2:6, etc.)
ii.
He will appear in His
glory
iii.
He will regard the
prayers of the destitute or lowly
c.
Written for the
generation to come (18) – the posterity of the Lord is preserved.
i.
There are many events of
God that have been preserved and passed down.
We know of their significance because of this.
ii.
Scriptures are recorded
so that others can learn from it.
There are many places in scripture where this is borne out.
(cf. Rom. 15:4, 4:23-24, 1 Cor. 9:9-10, 2 Pet. 1:20-21, etc.)
iii.
Also let us not forget
our responsibility to preserve that which has happened. Cf. Deut. 31:19.
d.
That a people yet to be
created may praise the Lord.
If dealing with the future restoration of Jerusalem, it is certainly
true. But consider
spiritually that when we obey the gospel we become “a new creation” (2
Cor. 5:17)
e.
God looked down from His
sanctuary, from heaven the Lord viewed the earth (ALL the earth, not
just physical Israel) (19)
f.
He heard the cries of
“the prisoner” (whether the captives of Babylon, OR we who are captive
to sin).
Isaiah 61:1–2 ““The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the
Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me
to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the
opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable
year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all
who mourn,” (cf. Luke 4:18)
g.
He will release those
appointed to death – see Eph. 2:2-3, 5,
“even when we
were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace
you have been saved),”
h.
He will declare His name
in Zion (Jerusalem) when the peoples are gathered together and the
kingdoms serve the Lord.
Certainly the return of Jerusalem from captivity did declare the
greatness of God. BUT, even
more than this, when Christ came to this earth and died for our sins,
when He arose, God was glorified and His name exalted.
Consider 1 Pet. 2:9, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people,
that you may proclaim the praises
of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”
a.
In this final section,
the psalmist continues his pleading.
We find one who sees his end near and pleads for more time. He
notes that God is eternal and even “laid the foundation of the earth.
As such His servants will continue and their descendants will be
established
b.
Could these verses also
apply to our Lord consider the following:
i.
Vs. 23 - He weakened my
strength in the way; He shortened my days – Jesus only lived upon this
earth for 33 years. HE was
put to death at a time considered little more than youth.
ii.
Vs. 24 – I said, ‘O my
God, do not take me away in the midst of my days.”
What did Jesus pray in the Garden
before His betrayal? (Mat.
26:39, etc.)
iii.
Vs. 24b-27 - Your years
are throughout all generations.
This passage is an acknowledgement that God created the heavens
and the earth. And while
they will perish, He will endure.
But the LORD is dependable – the same and his years have no end.
This text is specifically applied to Jesus in Hebrews 1:10-12 where
Jesus is being contrasted with the angels.
c.
The endurance of His
servants – just as God endures, so will His servants. (1 Thess. 4:17)
The psalmist writes with hopes of a future for Judah.
And he knows it will happen because God has plans that are not
yet finished. YET, we know
that God’s ultimate purpose for Israel was fulfilled in Jesus (Gal.
3:19-25). So just as the
psalmist finds hope, so do we.