Psalm 102 JPS Tanakh (1917)
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
Notes on this text (2)
- Greek and Latin Bibles number most Psalms one lower than Hebrew and English Bibles.
- Numbers like (22-2) in the text give the Hebrew verse numbering where it differs.
1 (102-1) A Prayer of the afflicted, when he fainteth, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD. (102-2) O LORD, hear my prayer, and let my cry come unto Thee.
1 A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before Yahweh. Hear my prayer, Yahweh! Let my cry come to you.
2 (102-3) Hide not Thy face from me in the day of my distress; incline Thine ear unto me; in the day when I call answer me speedily.
2 Don’t hide your face from me in the day of my distress. Turn your ear to me. Answer me quickly in the day when I call.
3 (102-4) For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as a hearth.
3 For my days consume away like smoke. My bones are burned as a torch.
4 (102-5) My heart is smitten like grass, and withered; for I forget to eat my bread.
4 My heart is blighted like grass, and withered, for I forget to eat my bread.
5 (102-6) By reason of the voice of my sighing my bones cleave to my flesh.
5 By reason of the voice of my groaning, my bones stick to my skin.
6 (102-7) I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am become as an owl of the waste places.
6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness. I have become as an owl of the waste places.
7 (102-8) I watch, and am become like a sparrow that is alone upon the housetop.
7 I watch, and have become like a sparrow that is alone on the housetop.
8 (102-9) Mine enemies taunt me all the day; they that are mad against me do curse by me.
8 My enemies reproach me all day. Those who are mad at me use my name as a curse.
9 (102-10) For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,
9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mixed my drink with tears,
10 (102-11) Because of Thine indignation and Thy wrath; for Thou hast taken me up, and cast me away.
10 because of your indignation and your wrath; for you have taken me up and thrown me away.
11 (102-12) My days are like a lengthening shadow; and I am withered like grass.
11 My days are like a long shadow. I have withered like grass.
12 (102-13) But Thou, O LORD, sittest enthroned for ever; and Thy name is unto all generations.
12 But you, Yahweh, will remain forever; your renown endures to all generations.
13 (102-14) Thou wilt arise, and have compassion upon Zion; for it is time to be gracious unto her, for the appointed time is come.
13 You will arise and have mercy on Zion, for it is time to have pity on her. Yes, the set time has come.
14 (102-15) For Thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and love her dust.
14 For your servants take pleasure in her stones, and have pity on her dust.
15 (102-16) So the nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth Thy glory;
15 So the nations will fear Yahweh’s name, all the kings of the earth your glory.
16 (102-17) When the LORD hath built up Zion, when He hath appeared in His glory;
16 For Yahweh has built up Zion. He has appeared in his glory.
17 (102-18) When He hath regarded the prayer of the destitute, and hath not despised their prayer.
17 He has responded to the prayer of the destitute, and has not despised their prayer.
18 (102-19) This shall be written for the generation to come; and a people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.
18 This will be written for the generation to come. A people which will be created will praise Yah,
19 (102-20) For He hath looked down from the height of His sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;
19 for he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary. From heaven, Yahweh saw the earth,
20 (102-21) To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;
20 to hear the groans of the prisoner, to free those who are condemned to death,
21 (102-22) That men may tell of the name of the LORD in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem;
21 that men may declare Yahweh’s name in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem,
22 (102-23) When the peoples are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
22 when the peoples are gathered together, the kingdoms, to serve Yahweh.
23 (102-24) He weakened my strength in the way; He shortened my days.
23 He weakened my strength along the course. He shortened my days.
24 (102-25) I say: 'O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days, Thou whose years endure throughout all generations.
24 I said, “My God, don’t take me away in the middle of my days. Your years are throughout all generations.
25 (102-26) Of old Thou didst lay the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the work of Thy hands.
25 Of old, you laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the work of your hands.
26 (102-27) They shall perish, but Thou shalt endure; yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt Thou change them, and they shall pass away;
26 They will perish, but you will endure. Yes, all of them will wear out like a garment. You will change them like a cloak, and they will be changed.
27 (102-28) But Thou art the selfsame, and Thy years shall have no end.
27 But you are the same. Your years will have no end.
28 (102-29) The children of Thy servants shall dwell securely, and their seed shall be established before Thee.'
28 The children of your servants will continue. Their offspring will be established before you.”
Cross references (28)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Psalm 18:6; Psalm 130:1–2; Exodus 2:23; Psalm 61:2; Psalm 142:2–3
- 2 Psalm 69:17; Psalm 27:9; Isaiah 8:17; Psalm 70:1; Psalm 88:2–18
- 3 James 4:14; Psalm 31:10; Lamentations 1:13; Job 30:30; Psalm 37:20
- 4 Isaiah 40:7; Psalm 37:2; Ezra 10:6; Acts 9:9; Matthew 26:37–38
- 5 Job 19:20; Proverbs 17:22; Lamentations 4:8; Psalm 32:3–4; Psalm 38:8–10
- 6 Zephaniah 2:14; Isaiah 38:14; Revelation 18:2; Isaiah 34:11–15; Job 30:29–30
- 7 Psalm 77:4; Lamentations 3:28–30; Mark 14:33–37; Psalm 130:6; Job 7:13–16
- 8 Acts 26:11; Romans 15:3; Psalm 69:9–10; Acts 23:12–35; Isaiah 65:15
- 9 Psalm 42:3; Job 3:24; Isaiah 44:20; Psalm 80:5; Lamentations 3:48–49
- 10 Psalm 38:3; 2 Corinthians 4:9; Lamentations 1:18; Psalm 90:7–9; Romans 3:19
- 11 Job 14:2; Psalm 109:23; Psalm 144:4; 1 Peter 1:24; James 4:14
- 12 Psalm 135:13; Lamentations 5:19; Exodus 3:15; Hebrews 13:8; Psalm 9:7
- 13 Galatians 4:4; Isaiah 40:2; Isaiah 60:1; Psalm 44:26; Psalm 69:35–36
- 14 Nehemiah 4:2; Ezra 1:5; Nehemiah 2:17; Nehemiah 1:3; Nehemiah 4:10
- 15 1 Kings 8:43; Psalm 138:4; Isaiah 60:3–22; Zechariah 8:20–23; Revelation 11:15
- 16 Isaiah 60:1–2; Jeremiah 33:7; Psalm 147:2; Isaiah 2:2–3; Jeremiah 31:4
- 17 Nehemiah 1:6; Psalm 22:24; Psalm 72:12; Psalm 9:18; Jeremiah 29:11–14
- 18 Romans 15:4; Psalm 22:30–31; Isaiah 43:21; Psalm 78:4–6; 1 Peter 2:9–10
- 19 Deuteronomy 26:15; Psalm 14:2; Hebrews 9:23–24; 1 Kings 8:43; 2 Chronicles 16:9
- 20 Psalm 79:11; Psalm 146:7; Isaiah 61:1–3; Exodus 3:7; Zechariah 9:9–12
- 21 Psalm 22:22; Isaiah 51:11; 1 Peter 2:9; Ephesians 3:21; Psalm 79:13
- 22 Zechariah 8:20–23; Matthew 24:14; Isaiah 49:22–23; Isaiah 60:3–22; Psalm 22:27
- 23 Revelation 11:2–19; Psalm 89:38–47; 2 Thessalonians 2:3–12; Job 21:21; 2 Timothy 3:1–17
- 24 Habakkuk 1:12; Psalm 39:13; Isaiah 38:10–22; Psalm 102:12; Revelation 1:8
- 25 Genesis 1:1; Exodus 20:11; Jeremiah 32:17; Hebrews 1:10–12; Hebrews 3:3–4
- 26 Isaiah 51:6; Matthew 24:35; Luke 21:33; Isaiah 34:4; Revelation 20:11
- 27 Hebrews 13:8; James 1:17; Malachi 3:6; Revelation 1:8; Psalm 90:4
- 28 Psalm 69:35–36; Psalm 45:16–17; Isaiah 66:22; Psalm 89:4; Psalm 90:16–17
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
In this Psalm, we ought to seek in the whole body of it what we find in the first verse: "Mercy and judgment will I sing unto Thee, O Lord" (ver. 1).
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 8 (1888)
The children of Thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established for ever;" pointing out plainly what things they are that pass away, and who it is that doth endure for ever--God, together with His servants.
So, then, by a humble piety we return to Thee; and thou purgest us from our evil customs, and art merciful unto the sins of those who confess unto Thee, and dost "hear the groaning of the prisoner," and dost loosen us from those fetters which we have forged for ourselves, if we lift not up against Thee the horns …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 1 (1886)
On this account also one hath said, "My days have failed like smoke." He indeed was referring to their shortness of duration, and to their unsubstantial nature, but I would say that we should take what is said, not in this sense alone, but also as to their turbid character.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
Hear David the Prophet saying, Thou, Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Thy hands; they shall perish, but Thou remainest.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)