God’s Word Translation
Psalms 102:20
20He heard the groans of the prisoners and set free those who were condemned to death.
Psalms 102:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;
- New International Version (NIV)to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die,
- New King James Version (NKJV)To hear the groaning of the prisoner, To release those appointed to death,
Context of Psalms 102:20
18This will be written down for a future generation so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord: 19“The Lord looked down from his holy place high above. From heaven he looked at the earth. He heard the groans of the prisoners and set free those who were condemned to death. 21The Lord’s name is announced in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem 22when nations and kingdoms gather to worship the Lord.”
Read all of Psalms 102Psalms 102:20 word by word
לִ֭שְׁמֹעַ אֶנְקַ֣ת אָסִ֑יר לְ֝פַתֵּ֗חַ בְּנֵ֣י תְמוּתָֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 102:20
- Psalms 79:11Let the groans of prisoners come into your presence. With your powerful arm rescue those who are condemned to death.
- Psalms 146:7He brings about justice for those who are oppressed. He gives food to those who are hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free.
- Exodus 2:23After a long time passed, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites still groaned because they were slaves. So they cried out, and their cries for help went up to God.
- Exodus 3:7The Lord said, “I have seen the misery of my people in Egypt, and I have heard them crying out because of the slave drivers. I know how much they’re suffering.
- 2 Kings 13:4Then Jehoahaz pleaded with the Lord, and the Lord heard him because he saw how the Aramean king was oppressing Israel.
- Job 24:12Those dying in the city groan. Wounded people cry for help, but God pays no attention to their prayers.
- Isaiah 14:17who made the world like a desert and tore down its cities, who didn’t let his prisoners go home?”
- Isaiah 61:1The Spirit of the Almighty Lord is with me because the Lord has anointed me to deliver good news to humble people. He has sent me to heal those who are brokenhearted, to announce that captives will be set free and prisoners will be released.
- Jeremiah 51:34King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon has devoured us. He has thrown us into confusion. He has turned us into empty jars. He has swallowed us like a monster. He has filled his belly with our delicacies. Then he spit us out.
- Zechariah 9:9Rejoice with all your heart, people of Zion! Shout in triumph, people of Jerusalem! Look! Your King is coming to you: He is righteous and victorious. He is humble and rides on a donkey, on a colt, a young pack animal.
- 2 Chronicles 33:11So the Lord made the army commanders of the king of Assyria invade Judah. They took Manasseh captive, put a hook in his nose, put him in bronze shackles, and brought him to Babylon.
- Jeremiah 51:32The river crossings have been taken. The enemy has burned its marshes, and its soldiers are terrified.
- Acts 12:6The night before Herod was going to bring Peter to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers. His hands were bound with two chains, and guards were in front of the door. They were watching the prison.
- Ephesians 2:2You followed the ways of this present world and its spiritual ruler. This ruler continues to work in people who refuse to obey God.
Commentaries on Psalms 102:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20To hear the groaning - By sin, all the inhabitants of the earth are miserable. They have broken the Divine laws, are under the arrest of judgment, and all cast into prison, They have been tried, found guilty, and appointed to die; they groan under their chains, are alarmed at the prospect of death, and implore mercy.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20To hear the groaning of the prisoner - Meaning here, probably, the captives in Babylon; those who were held as prisoners there, and who were subjected to such hardships in their long captivity. See the notes at Psalm 79:11. To loose those that are appointed to death - Margin, as in Hebrew, “the children of death.” Compare the notes at Matthew 1:1. This may mean either those who were sentenced to death; those who were sick and ready to die; or those who…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-22Verses 12-22 We are dying creatures, but God is an everlasting God, the protector of his church; we may be confident that it will not be neglected. When we consider our own vileness, our darkness and deadness, and the manifold defects in our prayers, we have cause to fear that they will not be received in heaven; but we are here assured of the contrary, for we have an Advocate with the Father, and are under grace, not under the law. Redemption is the…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18-22The Lord will show mercy. Both Jews and Gentiles will worship him.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 19-2219-22. For--or, "That," as introducing the statement of God's condescension. A summary of what shall be written. to loose ... appointed--or, "deliver" them (Psa 79:11).Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 102:20
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 102
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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