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Sunday, February 2, 2014 pm                Psalms Index

 

STUDIES IN PSALMS
A Prayer of the Afflicted
Psalm 102

 Tonight we wish to examine another psalm.  This particular psalm is believed to have been written as Judah is facing oppression.  Some attribute it Judah’s captivity by Babylon in 586 BC.  It certainly fits that occasion.  The psalm is described as, “A prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before the Lord.”  The author is not mentioned by name.

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. 

 I.                     Lamentations for their plight (1-11)

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.

 

 II.                    Mercy on Zion from the Lord (12-22)

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;

 

 III.                  The Eternity of God (23-28)

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.