Read & explore together
The Prayer of the Afflicted
Psalm 102 is a prayer from deep distress. The speaker pleads for Yahweh to hear, describes fading strength and loneliness, then turns to Yahweh’s enduring name, mercy, and unchanging years.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
This passage stays in the form of prayer to Yahweh. It moves from urgent cries for an answer, to vivid descriptions of suffering and reproach, then to confidence that Yahweh remains forever, hears the destitute, sees from heaven, and endures when creation wears out.
Psalms 102:1–28Main takeaway
This prayer teaches that honest cries of weakness can be brought to Yahweh, whose years do not end and who does not despise the prayer of the destitute.
Explore the prayer
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01An urgent appealThe psalm opens with repeated requests for Yahweh to listen. The speaker asks, “Hear my prayer”, “don’t hide your face”, “turn your ear”, and “answer me quickly”.
Explanation
The psalm opens with repeated requests for Yahweh to listen. The speaker asks, “Hear my prayer”, “don’t hide your face”, “turn your ear”, and “answer me quickly”. The words show distress and urgency. Prayer here is a direct cry for attention in a day of trouble.
02Suffering described in picturesThe speaker uses strong images to describe weakness. Days vanish “like smoke”, the heart is “blighted like grass”, and groaning leaves the body thin.
Explanation
The speaker uses strong images to describe weakness. Days vanish “like smoke”, the heart is “blighted like grass”, and groaning leaves the body thin. Lonely birds, ashes, tears, and a “long shadow” add to the sense of isolation, sorrow, and fading life.
03Yahweh remains and hearsThe prayer turns with, “But you, Yahweh, will remain forever.” The speaker speaks of mercy on Zion and says Yahweh has not despised the prayer of the destitute.
Explanation
The prayer turns with, “But you, Yahweh, will remain forever.” The speaker speaks of mercy on Zion and says Yahweh has not despised the prayer of the destitute. What Yahweh does is worth writing down for future generations, so that people yet to be created will praise him.
04The unchanging oneYahweh looks down from heaven, hears groans, and frees those condemned to death so that peoples may serve him.
Explanation
Yahweh looks down from heaven, hears groans, and frees those condemned to death so that peoples may serve him. The prayer then contrasts human frailty with Yahweh’s permanence. Earth and heavens will wear out and be changed, but Yahweh is the same, and his years have no end.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Which repeated requests show the urgency at the start of the prayer?
Look for the commands asking Yahweh to hear, not hide his face, turn his ear, and answer quickly.
02What comparisons help you feel the speaker’s weakness and loneliness?
Notice images such as smoke, grass, lonely birds, ashes, tears, and a long shadow.
03How does the ending contrast creation with Yahweh?
The psalm says creation wears out and is changed, but Yahweh stays the same and his years do not end.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Psalms 102:1–28
1Hear my prayer, Yahweh! Let my cry come to you.
2Don’t hide your face from me in the day of my distress. Turn your ear to me. Answer me quickly in the day when I call.
3For my days consume away like smoke. My bones are burned as a torch.
4My heart is blighted like grass, and withered, for I forget to eat my bread.
5By reason of the voice of my groaning, my bones stick to my skin.
6I am like a pelican of the wilderness. I have become as an owl of the waste places.
7I watch, and have become like a sparrow that is alone on the housetop.
8My enemies reproach me all day. Those who are mad at me use my name as a curse.
9For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mixed my drink with tears,
10because of your indignation and your wrath; for you have taken me up and thrown me away.
11My days are like a long shadow. I have withered like grass.
12But you, Yahweh, will remain forever; your renown endures to all generations.
13You will arise and have mercy on Zion, for it is time to have pity on her. Yes, the set time has come.
14For your servants take pleasure in her stones, and have pity on her dust.
15So the nations will fear Yahweh’s name, all the kings of the earth your glory.
16For Yahweh has built up Zion. He has appeared in his glory.
17He has responded to the prayer of the destitute, and has not despised their prayer.
18This will be written for the generation to come. A people which will be created will praise Yah,
19for he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary. From heaven, Yahweh saw the earth,
20to hear the groans of the prisoner, to free those who are condemned to death,
21that men may declare Yahweh’s name in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem,
22when the peoples are gathered together, the kingdoms, to serve Yahweh.
23He weakened my strength along the course. He shortened my days.
24I said, “My God, don’t take me away in the middle of my days. Your years are throughout all generations.
25Of old, you laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the work of your hands.
26They will perish, but you will endure. Yes, all of them will wear out like a garment. You will change them like a cloak, and they will be changed.
27But you are the same. Your years will have no end.
28The children of your servants will continue. Their offspring will be established before you.”