A Prayer of the Afflicted

Psalm 102

Psalm 102• Written during a time when

Judah is facing oppression (possibly Babylonian captivity)

• “A prayer of the Afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before the Lord.”

Lamentations (1-11)• Hear my prayer! (1)• A time of despair. Author is

stressed and in misery• It seems God is not

answering (2)

Lamentations (1-11)• Days consumed (3)• Body broken (3-5)• Loneliness (6-7)• Enemies reproach (8)

Lamentations (1-11)• Food of ashes and tears (9)• A product of God’s

indignation and wrath (10)• Shortened days (11)

Lamentations (1-11)• Do we ever find ourselves in

a similar condition?• In despair, we pour out our

hearts to God but we don’t seem to receive an answer?We are guilty and unworthy?

Lamentations (1-11)• God is there!• He knows what is best (Isa. 55:8-9)

• We cannot expect favoritism• Adversity can produce good (Heb. 12:5-11, Jas. 1:2-3, Rom. 5:3-5)

• Sometimes we need to repent! (Isa. 59:2)

Mercy on Zion (12-22)• The psalmist acknowledges that

God’s will shall prevail• NOTE: In this section we find the

hope of return and rebuilding.• It is possible that we also find a

Messianic hope – as we shall see

Mercy on Zion (12-22)• The Lord will endure (12)• Remembered throughout all

generations• Mercy on Zion (13)

Mercy on Zion (12-22)• “For the time to favor her, yes, the

set time, has come” (13-14)• The captivity was 70 years (2 Chron. 36:20-21, Jer. 25:11-12)

• So was the coming of the Lord (Gal. 4:4)

Mercy on Zion (12-22)• “So nations shall fear the

name of the Lord” (15-17)• Cyrus decreed their return (2 Chron. 36:22-23)

• He will regard the prayers of the destitute (cf. Luke 4:40-43)

Mercy on Zion (12-22)• “This will be written for the

generation to come” (18)• Events preserved by the Lord for

our learning •Rom. 15:4, 4:23-24, 1 Cor. 9:9-10, 2 Pet. 1:20-21

• Do we preserve that which we have learned – cf. Deut. 31:19

Mercy on Zion (12-22)• “That a people yet created

may praise the Lord” (18)• Generations in Jerusalem• Spiritually, when we obey the

gospel 2 Cor. 5:17

Mercy on Zion (12-22)• “God looked down from His

sanctuary” (19)• HE heard the cries of

prisoners groaning• Spiritually, the “prison” of sin Isaiah 61:1-2 (Lk. 4:18)

Mercy on Zion (12-22)• “Release those appointed to

death” (20)• Released after captivity• Released from curse of sin Eph. 2:2-5

Mercy on Zion (12-22)• “To declare His name of the

Lord in Zion” (21-22)• Released after captivity did

declare His greatness• Do we declare His goodness? 1 Pet. 2:9

Eternity of God (23-28)• The psalmist’s end is near and

he pleads for more timeLike Jesus in Garden (Matt. 26:39)

• He declares the eternity of God, while the earth will cease

• Spoken of Christ in Heb. 1:10-12

Eternity of God (23-28)• His servants will also continue

(28)• So will we! Cf.1 Thess. 4:17

The psalmist writes with hope of Judah…

…and for us!Where is your hope?