Bible Commentaries

Verses 1-28

This is a song of faith triumphing over affliction. Beginning with a prayer for deliverance, and a statement of the circumstances of suffering in which he then was, together with a recognition of those sufferings as the chastisements of Jehovah (vv. Psa 102:1-11 ), it rises to a great song of hope in the consciousness of the eternity of God, and the consequent conviction of the restoration of His own people to favour and blessing (vv. Psa 102:12-22 ). Finally it returns to his own suffering, yet recognises that suffering again, as part of the Divine process, and gains confidence in setting that also in the light of the eternity of God (vv. Psa 102:23-28 ).

While there are great beauties in the details of the song, it is this general atmosphere which creates its greatest value for us. There is nothing more calculated to strengthen the heart in suffering, or inspire the spirit with the courage in days of danger and difficulty, than the sense of the eternity of God. In it is to be found the certainty that the purpose defeated today will yet be the continuity of humanity, and a great sense of the solidarity of the race is created. Let us set our limitations always in the light of His limitlessness.