AFFLICTED-Psalm 102

Old Testament, Psalms, Sermons

Afflicted: A prayer of an afflicted [lowly/downcast] person who has grown weak [faint] and pours out a lament [plea] before the Lord. “Hear my prayer, Lord; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly” (Ps 102:1-2).

Devastated/Distressed: “Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress.” “…because of your great wrath, for you have taken me up and thrown me aside.” “In the course of my life he broke my strength; he cut short my days. So I said: “Do not take me away, my God, in the midst of my days…” (Ps 102:2, 10, 23-24a). [Psalm 102 is classified as 1 of the 7 penitential psalms: 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143.]

Overview. The 5 books of the Psalms.

  1. Book I (1-41): Confrontation. Ps 22:1; 23:1.
  2. Book II (42-72/31): Communication. Ps 51:1-4.
  3. Book III (73-89/17): Catastrophe / Devastation. Ps 88:18; 84:5.
  4. Book IV (90-106/17): Consecration / Maturation. Ps 93:1; 97:1; 99:1.
  5. Book V (107-150/44): Consummation. Ps 146:1; 147:1; 148:1; 149:1; 150:1-6.

Book 4: “The Lord reigns” (Ps 93:1; 97:1; 99:1).

  • Psalm 90:  ETERNITY. “…from everlasting to everlasting you are God” (Ps 90:2). 4/7/24.
  • Psalm 91: SAFETY. “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (Ps 92:1). 8/18/24.
  • Psalm 92: PRAISE. “It is good to praise the Lord” (Ps 92:1).
  • Psalm 93:  KING. “Your throne was established…from all eternity” (Ps 93:2). 9/4/24.
  • Psalm 94:  JUDGE. “Rise up, Judge of the earth: (Ps 94:2). 9/4/24.
  • Psalm 95: WORSHIP/Listen. “Today, if only you would hear his voice”  (Ps 95:7). 9/15/24.
  • Psalm 96: WORTHY. “For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise” (Ps 96:3). 9/22/24.
  • Psalm 97: FORMIDABLE. “you are exalted far above all gods” (Ps 97:9). 10/13/24.
  • Psalm 98: RULER. “He will judge the world in righteousness” (Ps 98:9). 10/24/24.
  • Psalm 99: HOLINESS. “God is holy” (Ps 99:3, 5, 9). 10/20/24.
  • Psalm 100: KNOWLEDGE. Gratitude. “Know that the Lord is God” (Ps 100:3). 10/20/24.
  • Psalm 101: CONDUCT. “I will be careful to lead a blameless life—when will you come to me? I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart” (Ps 101:2). 11/3/24.
  • Psalm 102: AFFLICTED. A prayer of an afflicted person who has grown weak and pours out a lament before the Lord. “Hear my prayer, Lord; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly” (Ps 102:1-2). 11/17/24.
  • Psalm 103: BENEFITS. “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Ps 103:1-2). 4/28/24.
  • Psalm 104: CREATION. “How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures” (Ps 104:24).
  • Psalm 105: COVENANT. “He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations” (Ps 105:8).
  • Psalm 106: FAILURE. “We have sinned, even as our ancestors did; we have done wrong and acted wickedly” (Ps 106:6).

Prayer: Psalm . (Various titles: My days and thy years. I have hope for Zion, but is there hope for me? I am in distress. Request refused; prayer answered. Messiah: hesitations [anguish, agonies] (Ps 102:3-11) and assurances (Ps 102:25-27; Heb 1:10-12). Afflicted but full of trust. You remain, but I… Comfort for the afflicted. A prayer of one afflicted. Feeling alone. When smoke prays. Lament and the Christian life.)

Outline:

  1. HELP (Ps 101:1-2). Desperate plea to God.
  2. I’m suffering (Ps 101:3-7, 8-11)…physically (Ps 101:3-7)/emotionally (Ps 101:8-11).
  3. But God still rules (Ps 101:12-17)…and will restore Zion. So…
  4. There‘s hope  (Ps 101:18-22)…for Future Generations. Yet…
  5. I‘m Frail but God is Eternal (Ps 101:23-28).

What should you do in times of distress?

* “Hear my prayer, Lord; let my cry for help come to you” (1).

  1. Cry out to God in prayer.

* “In my distress I groan aloud …” (5).

  1. Express your real and raw emotions.

* “But you, Lord, sit enthroned forever” (12).

  1. Always know that God is ruling.

  “But we know that in all things God works…” (Rom 8:28).

  “Work out your salvation with…for it is… (Phil 2:12b-13).

* “In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth” (25).

  1. Always know that God is the Creator. (Jn 1:1-4).

How Psalm 102 points to Christ:

* “My enemies taunt me day after day. They mock and curse me” (Ps 102:8).

  1. Jesus suffers mocking and taunting. “The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him” (Lk 22:63).

* “He will respond to the prayer of the destitute…” (Ps 102:17).

  1. Jesus receives the destitute (Mt 11:28-30).

* “you remain the same, and your years will never end” (Ps 102:27).

  1. Jesus is the unchanging God (Heb 13:8).

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end” (Heb 1:10-12).

Psalm 102 is a lament that moves from personal suffering to hope in God’s eternal nature and faithfulness to Zion. The theme centers on suffering, lament, and the permanence of God’s mercy. The psalmist in deep distress pours out his heart to God, highlighting the transient nature of human life contrasted with God’s eternal nature. It is a personal plea for deliverance, but has elements reflecting the struggles of the people of Israel during a time of national calamity (exile). The psalmist finds hope in God’s unchanging character and His promise to restore Zion, pointing toward a future deliverance.

Thomas Watson said that we must not get distracted by who brings the trial (who is the carrier, the messenger God chose to bring it to us), but look up and see God, who sent it our way. All our trials are hand-stitched for us, and our Father has all the measurements right. 2 Cor 1:9. If we never feel the curse of sin and the law, we will never know the blessing of the gospel of God’s grace.

Application:

  1. Honest Lament: Be honest with your raw emotions with God about your pain and suffering (Ps 101:3-11) in prayer and poetry. Be open about your pain, knowing that God listens even in your darkest moments (Ps 103:1-2).
  2. Find Hope in God’s Unchanging Nature: When everything around you seems uncertain or fleeting, Psalm 102 reminds you to focus on God’s eternal, unchanging character (Ps 102:12, 26-27). His promises remain true even when we feel overwhelmed.
  3. Look Beyond Present Circumstances: Christians are called to have faith in God’s future redemption, both in our personal lives and in the broader sense of His plan for His people (Ps 102:18, 19-20). Trust God’s eternal plan that provides hope for the future.
  4. Generational Faith: The psalm looks forward to a time when future generations will praise God for His faithfulness (Ps 102:21-22). Be encouraged to consider how our faith impacts not only our lives but also the generations to come.

Psalm 102, in its lament, shows that while human life is frail and full of sorrow, God’s eternal nature and His promises give us hope for restoration and deliverance.

  1. Help (Ps 101:1-2): He begins with a desperate plea for God to hear his prayer and not hide His face.
  2. I‘m Suffering (Ps 101:3-11) physically (3-7) and emotionally (8-11):
    • He vividly describes his distress: feeling physically weak, emotionally exhausted, spiritually abandoned.
    • His life seems fleeting, like smoke or a shadow, and his enemies are a constant source of pain.
  3. But God still rules (Ps 101:12-17):
    • Despite his suffering, he acknowledges that God reigns forever and will show compassion on Zion (symbolizing Israel’s restoration).
    • The promise of God’s future intervention and care for His people is highlighted.
  4. There’s hope for Future Generations  (Ps 101:18-22):
    • The psalmist envisions that future generations will praise God when they witness His restoration of Zion.
    • This section looks forward to the time when all nations will revere the Lord.
  5. I‘m Frail but God is Eternal (Ps 101:23-28):
    • He contrasts his own weakness and short life with the eternal, unchanging nature of God.
    • He ends with a declaration of hope that God’s faithfulness will endure for generations, and His promises to His people will stand firm.

 

 

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