Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryPsalms 102

Hear. See Ps. 18:6; 39:12.

Hide not. See Ps. 4:6; 13:1. Speedily. See Ps. 69:17. The depth of the psalmist’s dejection and the intensity of his appeal are emphasized by the cumulative pleas for divine aid in vs. 1, 2.

For. Verse 3 marks the beginning of the psalmist’s complaint.

Forget to eat. See Job 33:20; Ps. 107:18.

My bones cleave. See Job 19:20; Lam. 4:8.

Pelican. Heb. qa’ath, translated “cormorant” in Isa. 34:11; Zeph. 2:14. The exact species of bird referred to is not known, although it has been observed that the pelican is an appropriate symbol of utter loneliness and melancholy.

I watch. Or, “I am wakeful.” Sparrow. Heb. sippor, a general term for winged animals (see Gen. 7:14; Deut. 4:17). “Alone” is perhaps an allusion to a bird bereft of its mate.

Ashes. See Joshua 7:6; Job 2:7, 8; Lam. 3:16. For Ugaritic parallels see on Ps. 42:3.

Shadow that declineth. A striking figure of the approach of death (see Job 14:2). Samuel Butler said, “My years slip through me as water through a sieve.”

But thou. Abruptly, the psalmist finds consolation in the contemplation of the eternal sovereignty of God, and rises above his complaint. Because God does not change, His promises are sure, despite His apparent disregard for the psalmist’s suffering for the time being. Shalt endure. See Ps. 9:7; Lam. 5:19. Remembrance. See Ex. 3:15; Ps. 135:13.

Stones. The exiles even enjoy contemplating the piled-up stones and dust of what was once their glorious city Jerusalem, so deeply in love with Zion are they (see Neh. 4:2, 10; Ps. 79:1). There is a pathetic touch of nostalgia in the concept of this verse. Even the ruins of our childhood home are dear to us.

Shall fear. According to God’s plan, restored Zion would compose a people fulfilling the divine destiny in the choice of Israel. Missionary activities would convert many of the heathen and the prosperity of the new state would attract many nations. Unfortunately Israel failed. Had they been faithful the whole earth would have been prepared for the first advent of Christ (PK 703, 704; see also Vol. IV, pp. 26–30).

He shall appear. The Messiah would have come to the restored state (see on v. 15; also see article, “The Role of Israel in Old Testament Prophecy,” Vol. IV).

Written. This seems to be the only mention in the psalms where the record of God’s providences is said to be written. Lord. Heb. Yah (see on Ps. 68:4).

From heaven. See on Deut. 26:15; also see Ps. 14:2.

Those that are appointed to death. Literally, “children of death” (see Ps. 79:11).

Name. See on Ps. 5:11; 7:17.

My strength. From the consolation of God’s eternal sovereignty the psalmist falls back again for an instant on his own weakness and the shortness of his life—but it is only for an instant. Almost immediately he is swallowed up again in the contemplation of the unchangeableness of God.

In the midst. The psalmist’s prayer is evidently prompted in part by his desire to see the restoration of Jerusalem. He cannot bear the thought of dying before seeing the fulfillment of his hopes. In the face of God’s eternal existence he feels how fleeting and transient are his own days (see vs. 11, 12; Ps. 90:2; Hab. 1:12).

Hast thou laid. See Gen. 1:1. Verses 25–27 are quoted in Heb. 1:10–12 as an address to Christ. The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews is proving that Christ, as the Son of God, also has a place of pre-eminence above the angels. Here is proof also of the position of Christ as Creator.

Garment. Ugaritic literature (see p. 618) also compares the heavens to a garment that “will wear away.”