Psa 102 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Ps 102:1-28: Ps 102 A frail and afflicted human being prays for the Lord’s compassion on Jerusalem and for his presence with its inhabitants. Summary for Ps 102:1-2: 102:1-2 The psalmist appeals to the Lord not to turn away (or hide your face ). Israel experienced his turning his face away during their exile.

Summary for Ps 102:1-28: Ps 102 ^a A frail and afflicted human being prays for the Lord’s compassion on Jerusalem and for his presence with its inhabitants.
Summary for Ps 102:1-2: 102:1-2 ^b The psalmist appeals to the Lord not to turn away (or hide your face). Israel experienced his turning his face away during their exile.
102:3 ^c Smoke is an image of transitory life (37:20 ^d; 68:2 ^e).

• The psalmist’s bones represent his whole being (see 6:2 ^f; 34:19-22 ^g).
102:4 ^h Like dried grass, the psalmist senses his life ebbing away.
102:5 ⁱ skin and bones: The psalmist has wasted away because of his anguish (see 102:9 ^j; 109:24 ^k).
102:6 ^l The owl was associated with ruin and desolation (Isa 34:11 ^m, 15 ⁿ).
Summary for Ps 102:7-8: 102:7-8 ^o The psalmist cannot sleep (see 63:6-8 ^p). Like a bird on the roof, he feels isolated from both friends (see 88:8 ^q) and enemies.
102:10 ^r The psalmist blames the Lord for his troubles.
102:11 ^s The psalmist’s existence seems empty and transitory (102:4 ^t; 109:23 ^u; 144:4 ^v).
Summary for Ps 102:12-17: 102:12-17 ^w The topic changes from the psalmist’s miseries to the Lord’s glory. A vision of the Lord’s compassionate kingship gives him confidence in Zion’s future. 102:12 ^x forever ... to every generation: The frailty of humans (102:3-11 ^y) contrasts with the permanence of the Lord.
102:13 ^z Now is the time for the Lord to restore Jerusalem from exile (see 75:2 ^aa; Jer 29:10 ^ab; Dan 9:1-19 ^ac).
Summary for Ps 102:15-16: 102:15-16 ^ad When the Lord arises (102:13 ^ae), the nations will tremble with fear because they will see his glory (see 8:1 ^af; 19:1-4a ^ag; 24:7 ^ah). The rebuilding of Zion and the Temple portray God’s glory and fulfill this promise. An even greater fulfillment will come with the New Jerusalem (Rev 21 ^ai).
102:17 ^aj The people of Israel were destitute (or naked) during the Exile.
Summary for Ps 102:18-22: 102:18-22 ^ak The Lord will have mercy; Jews and Gentiles alike will worship him. 102:18 ^al Let this be recorded: The written record stands as a memorial to the Lord’s goodness.
102:19 ^am The heavenly sanctuary refers to God’s holy place on high (see 92:8-10 ^an).
102:22 ^ao The multitudes—both Jews and Gentiles—will join in the worship of the Lord (see 96:7 ^ap, 9 ^aq; 106:48 ^ar; Isa 2:2-4 ^as; 43:10-13 ^at; 57:15 ^au; 60:3-7 ^av).
Summary for Ps 102:23-28: 102:23-28 ^aw Although the psalmist suffers in the present, he bases his hope for the future on the Lord’s past faithfulness.
102:24 ^ax The psalmist draws a contrast between his days (102:23 ^ay) and God’s years (cp. 90:4 ^az).
Summary for Ps 102:25-27: 102:25-27 ^ba In contrast with the permanence of the Creator, the created order will wear out like a piece of clothing (see Isa 40:28 ^bb).

• The writer to the Hebrews describes this passage as having been addressed to Jesus, the Son (Heb 1:10-12 ^bc).
102:28 ^bd The Lord’s presence provides the basis for the security and happiness of his people (23:6 ^be).