Psalm 102 Meaning Explained

The prayer of an afflicted man poured out before the LORD. It contrasts the psalmist’s ephemeral, smoke-like life—bones burning, heart withered—with God’s eternal, unchanging years. He feels like a lonely bird, yet his plea is for Zion: that God will favor her stones. The psalm hinges on the difference between heavenly permanence ('you are the same') and earthly transience, asking the eternal God to intervene in time for a future generation yet unborn.

A clear explanation of Psalm 102, its meaning, context, and message for believers today

Psalms Chapter 102 | KJV

1. A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.
2. Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.
3. For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.
4. My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.
5. By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.
6. I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.
7. I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
8. Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.
9. For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,
10. Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.
11. My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.
12. But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.
13. Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.
14. For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.
15. So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.
16. When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
17. He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
18. This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.
19. For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;
20. To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;
21. To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
22. When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
23. He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.
24. I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.
25. Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
26. 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 be changed:
27. But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
28. The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.

Historical Context

Psalm 102, a prayer of an afflicted person, reflects on personal suffering and God’s enduring nature across generations.