For months now I've wanted to study Psalm 102. It fits into the category of "Psalms of Lament," according to the scholars. The main problem I'm facing is the sheer length of the chapter, twenty-eight verses. Here's it is, in all its lovely entirety:

You can almost hear the pathos! A hurting believer casting all his or her care on the Lord!

This may be the greatest, at least the fullest, of all the Psalms of lamentation! Surely it is weighted with spiritual nuggets of gold and silver and precious stones!

The Lord willing, tomorrow morning we will begin the journey. Likely a verse a day, I'm thinking now. At that pace we will not be here too long, nor will we be able to disrespectively rush through our Text.

Anyone planning to join me?

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 2, VERSE 1:

In Psalm 102 we find a prayer. A twenty eight verse prayer. It is also a lamentation, expressing grief and sorrow on the writer's part. And yet it opens with a simple plea. A burdened heart, no doubt, but a trusting heart as well! He is bringing all his cares to the Lord!

He begins: "Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee." Psalm 102:1, sounding pretty normal so far. The Name for "Lord" here is "Yehovah" in Hebrew, Jehovah God! It's found 6,519 times in the Old Testament, God's predominant Name. This is the God, Who by Self Explanation and Self Definition is "The One Who is!" In fact, "Who always is!" The Eternal One!

The noun for "prayer" is "tephillah," 77 times in Scripture carrying the idea of "intervening" in a reverent way! It is always in the Bible translated "prayer," no exceptions that I can find. "To interpose, to intercede," other similar explanations, definitions.

"Hear," the verse's main verb, is "shama," A strong imperative, showing earnestness and intensity before the Lord! It means "to hear" in the sense of hearing and then acting on a request! It is translated "obey" 81 times in the Old Testament, amazing! God "obeying" this needy supplicant? What outstanding faith!

This is truly a bold, urgent plea!

Again, "Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee." The auxiliary noun, "cry," is spelled "shavah" in Hebrew. It means "a cry for help." Only found 11 times Biblically, it is related to a root word meaning "to shout out loud," implying some sort of emergency!

Oh yes, the "superscript" to the Psalm, written just above verse one here, says: "A prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD." These words concretely set the "mood" of our entire Text.

Probably tomorrow we should talk about them some more. Especially the key words "afflicted, overwhelmed, and complaint."

Lord willing, see you then.

           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Isn't it encouraging to know we can really bring all our needs to the Lord? And that folks have been doing so for thousands of years? Indeed, He is faithful, never failing, always compassionate to the cry of His praying children.

LESSON 3, BACK TO THE SUPERSCRIPT:

The preface to Psalm 102 helps us understand its entire context. "A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the Lord." Other than this general information, no specific person is associated with this great Poem. It's simply the feelings of a Believer in the Lord, when under great duress.

The word "afflicted" is "aniy" in Hebrew. It means "bowed down, downcast, depressed." It's root carries the idea of being "browbeaten." Or "looked down upon," belittled!

"Overwhelmed" is "ataph." Used only sixteen times in Scripture, it means "to envelop oneself," to fold yourself into a ball because you are about to be hit! The King James Text translates this word "faint, swoon, fail, be feeble," even "hide" once.

To "pour out" one's heart like this, before Almighty God, utilizes the verb "shaphak," meaning "to spill, to gush out, to cast forth." It is written in what we'd call the present tense, ongoing action. Over and over again this man prays!

And the noun "complaint" is "siyach," translated "meditation" once and "communication" once in the Bible. It simply means "to talk, to speak, to declare," words of expression.

This Psalmist is not, I think, sinfully grumbling here!

He is actually obeying, just in advance, Jesus' great words in Matthew chapter eleven. "Come unto Me all ye that are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28-29.

This follower of the Lord is certainly a praying individual! Seeking the Lord has become second nature to him, it appears. He is nearly to the point of "praying without ceasing," looks like!

Oh, there's much to enjoy, to learn, to apply, in this Psalm, Psalm 102, so neglected in most of the Christian world.

Again, Lord willing, more tomorrow.

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 4, VERSE 2:

It's a prayer, the whole Psalm really! And its second verse is quite typical. "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." So very honest, Psalm 102:2.

Apparently our writer is in "trouble." In Hebrew this word, "tzsar," means "narrow, tight, squeezed, besieged, cramped!" Pressure, extreme stress, in other words!

He's asking God to be with him, not to "hide" His Lovely Face. "Sathar" means "to conceal, to make secret," or even "to be absent." He needs his God to be by his side! He consciously longs to be aware of the Lord's loving Favour!

God's "Face" actually implies His Person, His Godhead, His Triune Might and Essence! It's a common Old Testament euphemism, "God's smile resting upon a person!"

To "incline one's ear" is a lovely word picture. "To bend down" toward a person! To "lean" into him or her! To be "outstretched" in his direction! This is a powerful request!

"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."

And here "call," unlike the word translated "call" back in verse one, is the much more common "qara." It is a more peaceful word, too. Meaning "to invite, bid, summon, name." Yes, the Psalmist's faith is already growing firmer! Being in God's "Presence" generally has that effect!

Trusting God to "answer" is key to all the chapter. "Anah" is translated "answer" 242 times in the King James Bible! It means "to respond!" God will act on the supplicant's behalf!

Then that last adverb, in English an adverb, "speedily." In Hebrew "maher" means "quickly, hastily, soon!" It's from a verb meaning "to be in a hurry!" Really, "shortly!"

Our verse today is one of the most succinct yet clear examples of prayer in all the Bible. To the point, reverent, trusting!

Yet there remain twenty-six more verses, a lot of praying yet to study! And I suspect, for us all ... a lot more to learn!

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 5, VERSE 3:

Have you ever experienced, as a Christian, a long "dry" spell in your life? Spiritually I mean, not enjoying as much of God's palpable Presence as you once did?

Have you as a Believer in Jesus ever felt "frustrated," like your whole life was lacking something?

If so, you can easily identify with the Psalmist today. The one who penned Psalm 102:3. Let's listen to him, word for word. "For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth."

Wow!

A person this depressed, and God still allows his words to be recorded in Scripture!

His days, his whole life ... "consumed like smoke!" Little weight! Meaningless, or nearly so! Anything but long-lasting! "Consumed" means "done!" Almost "wasted!"

And the Hebrew word for "smoke" is intricately linked to their word for "anger" too! This man is wondering if God is downright "mad" at him!

His "bones," the Bible term for one's whole being, his entire skeletal system plus everything else, and "dried" to powder. It seems. He's been "in the fire," spiritually. "Charar" in Hebrew, this verb "burned." Looks like our word "charred," doesn't it?

"For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth." An honest writer, a sincere believer. And discouraged, perhaps due to elongated pressure, misery, multiple trials of some sort.

But God allows him to talk this way!

God, via Psalm 102, memorializes his speech, this despondent believer's!

Maybe because the Lord knows others will feel this way as we live here on earth, trusting Almighty God to meet our needs too. Worshipping Him daily, or trying to do so anyway!

Yes, he is "down" ... temporarily!

But notice this ... He is still praying!

He is still coming to God!

He is still, though in trouble ... believing!

There's our hope, too.

No matter what the circumstances around us ... we can look up above us! To a loving, caring Heavenly Father Who knows our every situation. Who is able to help us.

And Who will do so ... in His time!

Tomorrow we will study more of the Psalmists word pictures, how very discouraged he has become. This Psalm has been labeled a "Psalm of Lament," and rightly so.

Pouring out one's heavy heart before the Lord!

Precisely obeying Peter's idea where he said, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." First Peter 5:7

The Psalmist did so.

We can too!

           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 6, VERSE 4:

I don't remember ever reading a Passage of Scripture where the writer was discouraged as long as the author of Psalm 102. Well, I do too, Psalm 88. There are found eighteen verses of "darkness!"

But still, Psalm 102 is a close second! "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. For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth. My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread. By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin. I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top. Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me. For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping, Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down. My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass." Psalm 102:2-11, ten painful verses!

I intend for us to look at these statements of lament one at a time, verse by verse. Including today's thought, "My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread." Psalm 102:4

In Psalm 57:6 David proclaimed, "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise." But here, in Psalm 102, the opposite is true. We find a "smitten" heart, translating the Hebrew verb "nakah." It means "beaten, wounded, stricken," and at times even "slaughtered, killed."

Our Psalmist today is having heart trouble, maybe not physically but certainly emotionally, psychologically, spiritually. Yes, one can believe in Jesus and still, on occasion anyway, have a "troubled" heart.

Let me repeat our verse today. "My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread." Psalm 102:4

Next this pressured heart is "withered" like grass! "Yabesh" means "dried up, ashamed, without a drop of moisture." And "grass" is the word for "herbage," just "green plants" mostly.

Again I say, our writer needs some of the "showers of blessing" Ezekiel 34:26 mentions! He needs a fresh anointing of the "dew" of the Holy Spirit of God! He needs an "oasis" experience in the desert of everyday life!

He is so distraught that he even forgets even to eat! This verb, "to forget," is "shakach," meaning "to cease to care" about something. He no longer has even a desire to eat! Weight loss and sickness await him, of course. Unless he can recover!

And even in the midst of all this discouragement, this brokenness, he comes to His great God for solace! He's still praying! In fact, difficulties can drive us to our Heaven Father! They should!

Besetting circumstances?

Yes indeed.

But a loving God?

Yes indeed!

May we have the same strong faith when our dark nights arrive. Habakkuk surely did! "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls. Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation." Habakkuk 3:17-18, what optimism, what determination, what preparation for hard times!

Lord willing, the next verse tomorrow morning.

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 7, VERSE 5:

Psalm 102:5 expresses feeling found deep within is author's heart. Almost too painful to be expressed! In fact, no one knows for sure all that's meant here. But let's study anyway!

"By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin." That's word for word, King James Version.

Maybe the key word in the lament is "groaning." It is spelled "anachah" in Hebrew, the original language of the Old Testament. And it means "to sigh, to mourn." This represents grief that has apparently continued for some time. For example, Job suffered somewhere around a year with the multiple burdens he carried! Nearly to the breaking point! Our Psalmist here is not far behind!

Out godly little hero here is so burdened that his health is being affected. Even down to his bones! The Hebrew noun for "bones" is "atzsam," suggesting that which "binds" things together. And that's exactly what the skeletal system does for the human body! In other words, the author here is "coming apart" physically.

He is apparently losing weight too! Gone is any excess flesh, any flabby padding. His bones "stick" to his skin, "dabaq" meaning "to be joined, to glue, to adhere." Today we might say that he was merely "skin and bones."

Burdened over sin!

Burdened over trials and heartaches that will not relent!

Burdened over conditions in his land, his country!

Can a Christian, a real Believer in Jesus, sink that "low?" Can he or she really be that discouraged?

Yes, apparently so.

Even Paul the Apostle! Listen to him back in Second Corinthians 1:8, speaking of some trouble that came to him when in Asia preaching the Word of God. "We were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life." Just about ready to give up, to quit!

Has anyone reading here today even been this bleak? Losing weight, food no longer inviting? Sleep deprived? Daily if not hourly overcome by thoughts of despondence, darkness?

Then do just what our Psalmist did today. Tell the Lord Jesus! Share with Almighty God your burdens. Mention to Him the consequences of the burdens you bear. He cares for you, for all of us!

He knows what we need.

Maybe, like Job before us, God is purifying our hearts and souls and lives. Maybe we too can some day say along with the great Patriarch, "When He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." Wow, Job 23:10

Loss of weight down here, on earth.

But what a weight of glory you're building over there, in Heaven!

In response to today's text, "By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin," Jesus says, "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4, the second beatitude.

Thank You, Lord!

Amen!

Comfort for our groaning!

Reward for our sorrow!

What a trade!

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 8, VERSE 6:

We are on a quick journey through Psalm 102. Today we've arrived at verse six. The whole chapter is one of discouragement it seems. Our poor Psalmist now pens, "I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert." Two word pictures, two "similes" the teachers call them. "Comparisons using either 'like' or 'as' for the first word."

Yes, like the superscript to the Psalm declares, this man is "overwhelmed, afflicted, complaining." Wow! "I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert."

The main emphasis of these terms is, I think, "loneliness." Both these birds, in Bible times anyway, loved seclusion.

Incidentally, both are "unclean" birds too. Not to be eaten by the Jews, having been forbidden to do so by the Law of Moses. Maybe our writer feels that God has forsaken him ... due to some sin in his life, some ritual or moral uncleanness. Notice that he is here not like a "dove," quite clean in the eyes of God.

The Hebrew word for "pelican" is "qaath," meaning "to vomit up, to spew out, to disgorge." Our Psalmist is "sick" over his despondent condition. Weary to no end!

And Hebrew "owl" is spelled "kos," a word meaning "cup," as a way to "hold together" something, solid or liquid. Remember the bitter "cup" Jesus drank, paying for our sins!

It is astounding here that a follower of the Lord is describing himself in such dark, dreary terms. He is that depressed!

He feels that  no one cares! "I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert."

Do remember this however, the same David who wrote that the Lord "led him by the still waters and in green pastures," also wrote  that he once "sank in deep mire and swam through deep waters." Quoted from Psalms 23 and 69 respectively.

So a Christian can be low and defeated one week ... and on the mountaintop the next week praising the Lord!

So dear friends, if you are discouraged today ... keep trusting Jesus! He will again bring bright times to your life. Psalm 30:5 records David as saying, as promising "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Always!

Amen!

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 9, VERSE 7:

Psalm 102 begins with a paragraph of "laments" that nearly outpace anything else in Scripture! Listen to the writer: "For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth. My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread. By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin. I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top. Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me. For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping, Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down. My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass." Yes, Psalm 102:3-11, a total of nine verses of "darkness" and "mourning!"

Today we notice just one of these verses, in our journey through this whole chapter of Scripture. "I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top." Verse 7, the second consecutive verse with "bird" analogies! Yesterday it was this: "I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert."

All three of these flighty little creatures speak of loneliness, seclusion, maybe even rejection. But the "sparrow" is the least significant, surely. The Hebrew noun is "tzsippor," meaning "bird" generically, any kind. It's used this way 32 of 40 times in the Old Testament, just "bird." Six more times it is translated "fowl." Then twice as "sparrow," the other location being Psalm 84:3. The "root" word behind "tzsippor" however is interesting, with "tzsphar" meaning "to go early" somewhere! "To depart early, to be early."

Now with that thought in mind, let's discuss the opening verb of the verse. "I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top." Obviously it's "watch," spelled "shaqad" in Hebrew. It means "to wake, to be alert!" Once it's rendered "hasten!" In another word, a synonym, "early" again!

Now we are able to piece together a set of facts, a similarity between these two key words in our verse, between "sparrow" and "watch."

Both clearly have the idea of "earliness." Of being at a place or in a place "on time," never late. That scenario in turn leads to the idea of being "alert, ready," in "advance" even!

Yes, the Psalmist today is alone, still alone. No doubt about that. He is discouraged, emotionally "down," perhaps even depressed. Read those nine verses again, at the beginning of today's lesson.

BUT ... in the midst of his discouragement, he is truly expecting something, Someone! He will be "early" looking for "help," actually "help" from the dear Lord! This will all become even more apparent in a couple of verses now.

He is in "pit" today, in one of the dark and deep "caves" of life! But his sojourn there is "temporary!"

"Early" the Lord will come and help him! That's his hope. That's what sustains him through this dark time! And when the first glimmer of "light" breaks through ... our Psalmist will be awake! Alert! Ready! Waiting on the Lord!

What faith!

What admirable faith!

Psalm 63 is an inspired song of David, when he also was "in the wilderness." So says the inscription, the superscript of the Psalm. And he begins, "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary."

"Early will I seek Three!"

Waiting on the Lord!

With this promise in mind: "They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31, multiple promises really!

Praise the Lord!

Early!

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Sometime just count the early risers of Scripture! They are numerous, folks seeking God at sunrise or before. Oh yes, One of them is Jesus Himself: "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." Sounds to me like a habit with Him,  Mark 1:35

Wow, so to all God's little "sparrows" today, be not downtrodden! Wait on the Lord, early and often! He will be faithful to you!

LESSON 10, VERSE 8:

Our poor Psalmist continues, lamenting so passionately to Almighty God. "Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me." Psalm 102:8

The word for "enemies" primarily means anyone who "hates" you. They plan to do you harm.

The verb "reproach" means "to taunt, rail, upbraid, defy or reproach" a person. This sounds like verbal abuse, bitter accusations, attacks of the tongue. Reminds me of Psalm 64 where David said of this crowd: "Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words: that they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not."

The verb expressed "are mad" is surprising in a way. It translates "halal" in Hebrew, normally the word for "praise!" In fact, it's "praise" 117 times in the Old Testament! But it is rendered "rage" or "be mad" 10 times as well. At heart the root of "halel" means "to shine! I guess one can shine in a good way ... and in a bad way too! Glowing in anger!

To be "sworn" against a person is to be ultra committed to his defeat! Dedicated to his downfall! The verb actually hinges on the idea of saying something "seven times!" Repeatedly committing oneself to some cause!

A person or a group of people against the believer in God! That's what we have here in today's verse. "Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me."

Constant pressure!

Unrelenting hatred!

So what does one do?

Bring it to Jesus!

Tell Almighty God about it!

Claim such verses as Isaiah 54:17, child of Heaven! "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord."

Yes, verses like this exist in the Bible!

By the way Matthew 5:10-12 might help as well. "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."

I quote the words of the old hymn. "Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there." Easier said than done, I realize. But with God's help, it's possible. He will take care of you!

      --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 11, VERSE 9:

It seems like Psalm 102 presents us an entire paragraph of lament, indeed a uniquely full one. Our writer is truly depressed. His wails these words, not without reason, and with apparent sincerity: "For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping." Psalm 102:9, the words of a man who is under constant, unrelenting pressure.

One way an Old Testament character expressed grief and sorrow was by casting ashes on his head. Or sitting in them anyway. Well, our Psalmist has apparently been in "trouble" so long, having scattered ashes on his head again and again, that they now fall into his food as he eats!

Wow!

And his tears, salty and bitter, drip into his drink, water or milk or wine, whatever.  "For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping." Here is sadness that has absolutely consumed a person!

Will things ever get better?

Back in verse 4 our friend here "forgot" to even eat his bread! Now he is at least trying, eating what he can, but to no profit! "My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread."

Most folks at this point would have lost hope, altogether.

Grief that affects appetite, that is unceasing, can be detrimental. This seems overwhelming!

Will the sun ever "rise" again?

Will life ever "brighten" his path as in days past?

Will the Lord ever "move" on his behalf?

My answer, knowing the Lord, is YES!

The Patriarch Job, in all his darkness, never ceased believing. Neither did this Psalmist, fast becoming our little hero!

Hint: stay with us for two more lessons, please.

This godly man is coming out of his "cave!"

God will lift him up!

Because with our great Lord ... He never leaves or forsakes us, no matter what things seem!

Yes soon out of these lamenting lips will come this statement: "But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations." Verse 12 of our Psalm!

He, our writer, is desperately trying to get his eyes off himself, his difficulties, and back onto the Lord!

Yes, "But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations."

Amen!

I may be "gone" ... but not my Lord!

He is still on the Throne, at least!

This is for our poor sufferer a sort of "Habakkuk 2:20" moment! "The LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him."

Amen!

Let's never forget it! Live by this truth! "The LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him."

Hallelujah!

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 12, VERSE 10:

Psalm 102 presents a plethora of human emotions! Today's verse gives us a new one yet, I think. In the midst of all his problems and pressures and hardships, almost too many to itemize, the Psalmist adds the "wrath" of God! The Lord is "mad" at him, too!

Talking directly to the Almighty, he prays: "Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down." Psalm 102:10

The nouns "indignation" and "wrath" are synonyms, the first meaning "hatred" and the second "rage!" Both very strong words, though only used a few times comparatively in the Old Testament. Twenty-two and twenty-nine appearances respectively.

Job's friends felt this way about their suffering companion. They told Job that God was "angry" at him, judging him and punishing him ... for unconfessed sin in his life! Yet they were wrong about the great Patriarch, as we all know now.

But our little plaintiff today is not through, not yet. God has also "lifted him up" and then "cast him down!" He's in a topsy-turvy world! Being sloshed around ... no end! What honesty before God, folks!

"Nasa" and "shalak," the Hebrew verbs used here, have opposite meanings, antonyms! God's "tossing his servant about" is an ongoing action too, having continued for some time it appears!

What are we to make of this description?  "Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down."

Well, the fact is clearly stated in Scripture that God does, at times, chasten His children. But never for our harm, only for our growth and purification. Hebrews chapter twelve would be my Bible example for such a statement. "My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons."

But God never "condemns" us, not as His born-again children! "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:1

God never needlessly "whips" His family, either! In fact, when we hurt, He hurts as well! Here what's true of us who are saved today was also true of the people of Israel, those trusting God. "In all their affliction He (God) was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them: in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bare them, and carried them all the days of old." Isaiah 63:9, the references to Deity being capitalized.

Yes, God loves us!

And the harsh circumstances of life are not always His chastening, not in a judicial sense!

He just wants us to grow spiritually and be more like Him!

Again, why does God allow us such trying situations? For this reason, at least: "That we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." Hebrews 12:10-11

Wow!

Even when He chastises ... it is for our good, for our edification. And He always does so in love, as our Father in Heaven!

Saints of God reading here today, God is not mad at you! You are not under His Wrath! You are precious in His Sight! Somehow Romans 8:28 must "fit" here. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Surely so, what a great God we serve!

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 13, VERSE 11:

Normally I would just think the Psalmist today is merely feeling his "age." Getting older! His body tiring, his strength ebbing. It's the nature of humanity. Time takes its toll, they say.

But what our verse today says is different. More is being implied here. "My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass." His exact words, Psalm 102:11.

The culmination of all this man's problems, the weight of the issues presented in verses 1-10, has proved overwhelming! He feels he is going "down," sinking fast. He will not live, under such circumstances, much longer!

There's a sadness here, Yet a reality. Not total pessimism, but close. Hope has nearly been extinguished. "My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass."

The word "shadow" really means "shade," very often a metaphor for the transitoriness of life. "Declineth" means "to stretch out," lengthening shadows meaning "night is coming!" The end of the day is nearing, life's "day."

To be "withered" like grass uses a verb that hints at a total lack of moisture, "dried up" completely. The "dew" of youth and vitality and enthusiasm has slowly drained away.

How touching.

But our Psalmist is not yet permanently defeated!

His God is still able to answer prayer!

Verse 17 is coming and will be personalized by our writer! "He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer." God will hear me, at some point!

God is able to, verse 21 coming up soon: "To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death." This may be autobiographical, personal! God can overrule!

His, the author's, prayer will yet become stronger! By Psalm's end, anyway! "I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days." Wow! Lord, spare me a little longer.

This is faith!

Oh yes, Christians may go through some dark times!

But God, our God, is absolutely eternal!

And He will never leave nor forsake us!

In that we ... even when discouraged ... can take heart!

Listen to this, soon coming words from our little hero's lips, directed to God! "Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. 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. But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end."

I say no more!

In God, we shall prevail!

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 14, VERSE 12:

I've waited for this verse over two weeks! Since we began this journey through Psalm 102. Finally our author, anonymous as he is, sloughs off all the despondency and dreariness, spiritual and emotional darkness, and sees a glimmer of light!

And it's an ever-brightening Light at that!

"But thou, O Lord, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations." Psalm 102:12

Last verse, yesterday, our hero was dying! "My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass." Now ... what a difference!

He's trying, valiantly so, to focus his attention not on himself any longer ... but on Almighty God! Oh yes! "But thou, O Lord, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations."

The Name for God he uses, actually printed LORD in the King James Version, is "Jehovah!" In Hebrew "YHVH," meaning the God Who "is!" Who always is! And the God Who always will be! The eternal God!

The God Who created us!

The God Who will receive us into Heaven!

The God Who will "endure" forever! "Yashab" in Hebrew means "to abide, to remain, to tarry," to live into the ages of the ages! To in fact be incapable of death!

And this great God will never be forgotten!

I may be.

The Psalmist is pretty sure he will be too. Although his amazing prayer to God, Psalm 102, has proved him wrong!

But for sure ... God is unforgettable! "But thou, O Lord, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations."

The noun used for "remembrance" here is "zeker," directly derived from "zakar," One Who is "to be mentioned" by all future generations!

He will be preached as long as time exists!

And taught!

And adored and praised!

And worshipped!

Once in the King James Bible "zeker" or "remembrance" is translated as "scent!" As if God emits a sweet Aroma, one to be enjoyed eternally! Jesus on the Cross was, truly, a "sweet-smelling" Offering to His Father, according to Paul in Ephesians 5:2.

Wow!

In one verse the Psalmist has turned from depression to exaltation! From moaning in the valley to shouting on the mountaintop!

And here's the thought that so transported him. Once again: "But thou, O Lord, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations." 

Amen!

Let's today "Turn our eyes on Jesus" too!

What a difference He makes!

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 15, VERSE 13:

For the next morning or two we will be talking about Israel. Because she's "key" to the interpretation of the Psalm we're studying. A shift of focus has occurred in our Text. The Psalmist somehow manages to look away from himself, his problems, and look to the Lord! Last verse, for example, verse 12: "But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations." Quite different from verse 11: "My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass."

And, however this occurred, the Lord Who endures forever will do something for His people, for Israel. "Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come." Psalm 102:13, today's verse.

"Zion" is another name for the city of God, for Jerusalem. Then additionally it often represents the whole land, the whole nation. The Jews.

The word "favour" is "chanan," meaning "pity and kindness." God will bless His people, in "time."

"Moed," the Hebrew noun used for "set time," means "something appointed." Usually used in a sacred sense, like a predetermined festival for example.

I think today we can here deduce generally that our great God has times when He simply chooses to bless His people, to pour upon them tons of goodness and love!

And our little Psalmist has suddenly become a genius, spiritually! He has deflected pity and sorrow and grief, inner emotions he has fought for eleven verses, and has in their place enthroned sheer praise of God! And love for Revival, especially on a national level!

That tactic, in the eyes of any counselor, surely must be a recipe for success! It's sort of a New Testament principle, just obeyed in advance! "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33, God first ... then everything else will fall into its proper place! Other problems can vanish!

Wow!

Now again, in closing, let's look at the last three verses we've noted. Watch the progression! Hear the increasing faith! Spiritually, the sun is rising! "My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass. But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations. Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come."

Amen!

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 16, VERSE 14:

What a strange little verse we have today, Psalm 102:14. Really the subject here is a city, the City of Jerusalem! "For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof."

Wow!

Yesterday's verse gives us some context to this little declaration. To this short poem of praise about the Capital City's "stones" and "dust!" Psalm 102:13 records the Psalmist's conviction: "Thou Lord shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come."

Some have even called Psalm 102 a "patriotic" ode to Israel, because of these verses. Still, I think it's a "lament," recording the writer's woes, his feelings of depression. A litany of heartaches which, thankfully, he brings straight to God! Truly, Psalm 102 is a prayer, groanings which must have been extremely hard to utter!

But back to today's thought, "For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof."

The noun "stones" is common, "eben" being found 272 times in the Old Testament. Everything from hailstones to headstones to merchants' weights are indicated. But here it's the very stones of the pavement of the City! The verb "take pleasure" is really quite strong, five times being translated "delight" in the King James Version. Of course I'm now just thinking this may be a reference to the giant cornerstone with its accompanying foundation stones ... part of the very foundation of the sacred Temple of God, depending of course on the date of this little Psalm.

Going on, the noun "dust" is "aphar" in Hebrew, "powder" 3 times and "ashes" 2 times in Scripture, as well as common old "dust" 93 times. Not the soil, mind you! The "dust" of Jerusalem! And God's servants "favor" such. "Chanan" is the verb, "to show mercy and grace and kindness" to someone, or here to something!

Wow!

So here's a fact, "Jews love their City, Jerusalem!" Truthfully, it may be the most important place on earth! Jesus died there. And arose there. Went back to Heaven from there. Is retuning there, to the mount of Olives. Will rule and reign there for a thousand literal years, years of peace and victory!

And the Bible does say, enough times for it to be a pattern, some unusually sweet things about that City. "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy." Psalm 137:5-6

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee." Psalm 122:6 now, a promised blessing straight from God ... for merely praying for a City!

"Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King." Psalm 48:2, self-explanatory!

Then Psalm 50:2 uniquely adds: "Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined." Perfectly beautiful!

She's the very heart of the "pleasant" Land, the "glorious" Land, the "holy" Land too! See Daniel 8:9, Daniel 11:16, and Zechariah 2:12, which is reprinted here: "And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again."

Jesus Himself loved this City! "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." Listen to our Lord sincerely pray and weep! Matthew 23:37-39

Many of the old Jews even prayed toward this special City! "Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime." Daniel 6:10

The crowing experience of any Jewish boy was to go to "his" City, to there worship the Lord God Almighty! "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together: whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD." Psalm 122:1-4

Isaiah 66:18-19 just might even be encouraging each of us to pray for and mourn over the City of God! "Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her: that ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory."

Anyway, this City has sure helped our Psalm 102 composer to forget his troubles! The City's glory has both captivated his mind and driven away his sorrows!

Maybe today if each of us could do the same ... our burdens too would be lightened!

Our prayer for that holy City might run something like this, quoting Isaiah 62:1 now. "For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth."

What a City!

By the way, the Heavenly City John describes in the Book of Revelation might be fashioned after Jerusalem, or vice versa. Maybe that's why it is called "New Jerusalem!"

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 17, VERSE 15:

What a vast range Psalm 102 possesses! Emotionally this is so, but also theologically! Topically as well, etymologically too!

And today's verse further proves my point. "So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory." Psalm 102:15

What a lofty statement!

What a noble desire, for one's God to be so very renown! His Name this highly magnified!

We have now gone from one lonely man's heart, and that being extremely depressed, to a world-wide vista!

But isn't this verse the real "goal" of all Scripture? Of all God's prophetic program too, for that matter? "So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory."

That everyone would know the Lord!

The noun "heathen" is "goy" in Hebrew, "ethnos" in the Greek Bible. In both places it speaks of people, all people, non-Jewish in particular. The Israelites already know the Lord!

God indeed wants all people to know Him!

He loves everyone!

He died for all, past and present and future!

The verb "fear" as used here means more than to shake in one's boots. It also suggests "reverence, adoration and worship!"

Our Psalmist now has a missionary vision, a soul-winner's heart! "So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory."

Not only the common people are in the Psalmist's purview here, but also royalty! The "kings" of earth, the "Forbes 400" of society, will also glorify Almighty God!

And here's the great truth of the matter. This lofty desire of Psalm 102 is going to some day be fulfilled! The nations will fear His Name! The Kings will bow before Him! Before the Lord Jesus Christ!

Now let's make our Lesson more practical. Today let's all pray an earth-shaking prayer like this!

Truthfully "So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory" is very little different from Jesus' model Prayer, the part where He taught us to also pray "Thy kingdom come."

Wow!

Pray for our Lord's Return!

For the defeat of all wickedness!

For genuine "King Jesus" world peace!

For God's Will to be done on earth, as it is in Heaven!

This undoubtedly is the spirit of God's command in Jeremiah 33:3, surely so. "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."

Big things!

Amen.

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 18, VERSE 16:

"When the LORD shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory." That's Psalm 102:16, a statement of faith really.

This Psalmist, who has been so very discouraged, now talks about the Lord's "appearing." The verb he selects is interesting, spelled "raah" in Hebrew. It means initially, "to see, to look at, to inspect," then "to perceive," that is, mentally and spiritually understanding a matter.

But here today it's a Niphal stem verb, simply meaning grammatically that it's what we'd call "passive" in voice. The Lord "will be seen, will be looked at, will be inspected!" And yes, "will be understood!"

Wow!

And what's the Lord wearing? "When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory."

His "glory!"

"Kabod" is the noun, just meaning "honor, dignity, splendor!" It's root verb, "kabad," means "to be heavy, to be weighty, to be great!" When the Lord so returns, He will be carrying a lot of "weight," power and authority and gravity in His wake!

Radiating the very aura of the Throne Room of Heaven! Brighter than the noonday sun! Brighter than a thousand Hiroshima's! Blinding, pristine Whiteness! Pure to the tenth degree Light!

But why has the Lord retuned?

To build up "Zion!"

"Tzsiyon" means "the Holy Land," practically. The Land of Israel. More specifically, Jerusalem, it's capital City. Etymologically "zion" means a "dry, parched place!" But it will some day "blossom as the rose" according to Isaiah 35:1-2.

And "build up" translates "banah," a verb occurring 376 times in the Old Testament. Carrying the idea of "repairing, establishing" as one might do with both a literal house and the household that lives within it!

God has not finished with Israel yet! She is not a total outcast! She will yet play an important part in the years ahead!

God will defend her, too.

And save her.

And some day rule her in perfect peace and holiness!

Our little introspective Psalmist has gradually become quite patriotic! His faith has grown exponentially!

"When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory." Sounds now like he's a speaker at a prophecy conference somewhere!

And, you know what?

He is right!

The Lord is coming again.

And He will build up His people, the Jews.

Zechariah 12:10 will be literally fulfilled, too. "And I the Lord will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn."

Amen!

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 19, VERSE 17:

Wow!

And our Psalmist certainly considers himself "destitute." Just read the foregoing verses to establish that fact.

"Destitute," what does it mean? Translated into English using the Hebrew noun "arar," it literally suggests anything "stripped, made bare." In the King James Bible it's sometimes written as "broken." Once this exact word is rendered as "heath." A common, scrubby little "bush," Jeremiah 17:6.

Sort of a "been through the ringer" kind of idea! "Chewed up" and "spit out!" Or "worn to a frazzle," using Southern expressions.

But, thank God, when this "destitute," one can still pray!  "He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer."

Here we have the oft-repeated Biblical verb "tephillah," meaning "prayer" all 77 times it's found in Scripture. But "prayer" in the sense of "intercession." To get "in between" two others, your friend who has a great need ... and Almighty God! Pleading on the friend's behalf! The root verb, "palal," means "to intervene, to interpose, to mediate." Praying for oneself is not totally omitted, but praying for another, for others, is certainly paramount in thought here.

The prayer once again: "He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer."

How about this as therapy? When in need, pray for my neighbor, relative, co-worker ... and God just might lighten "my load" in the process! This thought is revolutionary, life-changing!

God will not, phrased as a promise I again remind you, "despise" such prayer! And "bazah" means "to disdain, to hold in contempt." In English the word means "to look down on" something!  "He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer." God, in other words, will assuredly honor the destitute man's prayers or woman's prayers, anyone coming to him in faith believing!

I'm reading a book right now about a group of people who gave their lives to prayer. Seven times a day they prayed. And some of them were pretty destitute, too. Where did they get such a disciplined idea? Maybe from our very verse today. Then again, they often say, from Psalm 119:164 where the Psalmist himself prays and praises seven times a day!

Anyway, this is sure. God does not commit Himself to hear the pleads of the proud! But of the destitute, that's another story! "He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer."

Amen!

          --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Do you feel destitute today? Stripped, taken advantage of, emotionally bankrupt, "used" by others? Like a "slave?" Lacking all self worth? Then you are a prime candidate! Pray, pray, pray! The Lord is ready to listen, truly, He always has been!