Psalm 102: November 1—When I am afflicted

Oct 20, 2009
MARK RATHEL

Mark Rathel is professor of theology at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Jewish rabbis taught that Psalm 102 was an appropriate psalm for days of fasting. The early church viewed Psalm 102 as one of seven penitential Psalms (Pss. 6, 32, 38, 51,102, 130, 147), although the Psalmist never confessed sin. The Psalmist experienced unexplained personal suffering. The condition of Zion, the people of God, however, compounds the agony he felt. Old Testament scholar H. C. Leupold commented, “For surely, the writer would not be the first man who had his private affliction made heavier by the lowly estate of the church at a given time.” Individual despair and community abasement form the context of this psalm, yet the psalmist arose to a celebration of the eternal nature of the Messiah.

How should an individual respond when afflicted? More importantly, how should you respond when afflicted?

First, when afflicted, urgently pray to God (Ps. 102:1-11). In times of affliction, we often do not know how to pray. When confronted with such a situation, the Psalmist prayed Scripture. Every thought in vv. 1-2 finds a parallel expression in the book of Psalms. God’s Word enriches our prayers. In almost any life circumstance we encounter, we can find a biblical pray-er to emulate. Further, the Psalmist prayed with urgency.

Because of the example of biblical pray-ers, an afflicted person may learn the valuable lesson that believers have the complete freedom to be honest before God. The worshiper that experienced the affliction provided a detailed description of his physical condition. The brevity of life dominated the thought of the worshiper. “My days” are like smoke (v. 3). “My days” are like a lengthening shadow soon to result in complete darkness (v. 11). His body feverishly burns like a furnace (v. 3). His vitality (heart) withers like grass; he lacks inner strength. (v. 4). The Psalmist forgot to eat (v. 4b-5). The afflicted one had the status of a desert owl, a lonesome unclean bird (v. 6). The psalmist compared his regular diet to ashes, a metaphor for grief. The enemies regard the afflicted one as forsaken by God. In light of the Messianic conclusion of the psalm, the description of physical suffering mirrors the sufferings of Christ.

Second, when afflicted, pray for God’s cause and the company of the redeemed (Ps. 102:12-23). The Psalmist acknowledged his frailty like grass. In contrast, God is forever enthroned. God’s dominion reassures the pray-er. The afflicted worshiper prayed for God’s name, God’s fame, and God’s claim upon the peoples. In faith, the worshiper prophesies a better day. In a later generation, God creates a new people that praises the Lord. He rebuilds Zion, the home of the people of God. The nations (Gentiles) fear the name of the Lord and entire people groups and kingdoms serve the Lord as priests (v. 22). God’s compassion for Zion reassured the Psalmist that God would pay attention to prayer (v. 17).

Third, when afflicted, celebrate God’s eternal commitment to His servants (Ps. 102:23-28). Frailty characterized the Psalmist. In contrast, God possesses an eternal nature. God established the earth as Creator, and He will end creation. Temporality and impermanence characterize the entire cosmos. The heavens and earth grow old like a worn-out garment that will lose functionality (vv. 25-26). The Bible consistently asserts that the old passes away then the new comes into being (Isa. 54:10; Matt. 24:35; 2 Pet. 3:7,10,11). Here the Word of God affirms the Second Law of Thermodynamics, also called the Law of Entropy. In contrast, God never changes. The unchanging nature of God provides security to the succeeding generations of God’s people.

Hebrews 1:10-12 states that God spoke Psalm 102:25-27 about His Son, the Messiah. The Messiah suffers, God rebuilds Zion, and Jesus Messiah is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

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