Psalm 102

Affliction in light of Eternity

A prayer of a suffering person who is weak and pours out his lament before the Lord.(A)

Lord, hear my prayer;
let my cry for help come before you.(B)
Do not hide your face from me in my day of trouble.
Listen closely to me;
answer me quickly when I call.(C)

For my days vanish like smoke,
and my bones burn like a furnace.(D)
My heart is suffering, withered like grass;(E)
I even forget to eat my food.(F)
Because of the sound of my groaning,
my flesh sticks to my bones.(G)
I am like an eagle owl,
like a little owl among the ruins.(H)
I stay awake;(I)
I am like a solitary bird on a roof.
My enemies taunt me all day long;
they ridicule and use my name as a curse.(J)
I eat ashes like bread
and mingle my drinks with tears(K)
10 because of your indignation and wrath;
for you have picked me up and thrown me aside.(L)
11 My days are like a lengthening shadow,
and I wither away like grass.(M)

12 But you, Lord, are enthroned forever;(N)
your fame endures to all generations.(O)
13 You will rise up and have compassion on Zion,
for it is time to show favor to her—
the appointed time has come.(P)
14 For your servants take delight in its stones
and favor its dust.(Q)

15 Then the nations will fear the name of the Lord,
and all the kings of the earth your glory,(R)
16 for the Lord will rebuild Zion;
he will appear in his glory.(S)
17 He will pay attention to the prayer of the destitute
and will not despise their prayer.(T)

18 This will be written for a later generation,
and a people who have not yet been created will praise the Lord:(U)
19 He looked down from his holy heights—
the Lord gazed out from heaven to earth(V)
20 to hear a prisoner’s groaning,
to set free those condemned to die,[a](W)
21 so that they might declare
the name of the Lord in Zion
and his praise in Jerusalem(X)
22 when peoples and kingdoms are assembled
to serve the Lord.(Y)

23 He has broken my[b] strength in midcourse;
he has shortened my days.(Z)
24 I say, “My God, do not take me
in the middle of my life![c]
Your years continue through all generations.(AA)
25 Long ago you established the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.(AB)
26 They will perish, but you will endure;
all of them will wear out like clothing.
You will change them like a garment,
and they will pass away.(AC)
27 But you are the same,
and your years will never end.(AD)
28 Your servants’ children will dwell securely,
and their offspring will be established before you.”(AE)

Footnotes

  1. 102:20 Lit free sons of death
  2. 102:23 Some Hb mss, LXX read his
  3. 102:24 Lit my days

26 Don’t be one of those who enter agreements,[a]
who put up security for loans.(A)
27 If you have nothing with which to pay,
even your bed will be taken from under you.(B)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 22:26 Lit Don’t be among hand slappers

The Vine and the Branches

15 “I am(A) the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes,(B) and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. You are already clean(C) because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me.(D) I am the vine; (E) you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit,(F) because you can do nothing without me. If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside(G) like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire,(H) and they are burned.(I) If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you.(J) My Father is glorified(K) by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be[a] my disciples.

Christlike Love

“As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love.(L) 10 If you keep my commands you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.(M)

11 “I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.(N)

12 “This is my command: Love one another as I have loved(O) you. 13 No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life(P) for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master[b](Q) is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you.(R) I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask(S) the Father in my name,(T) he will give you.(U)

17 “This is what I command you: Love one another.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 15:8 Or and become
  2. 15:15 Or lord

Bible Gateway Recommends

CSB Invitation New Testament, Case of 108
CSB Invitation New Testament, Case of 108
Retail: $106.92
Our Price: $78.99
Save: $27.93 (26%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
CSB Outreach Bible, Large Print Edition
CSB Outreach Bible, Large Print Edition
Retail: $7.99
Our Price: $5.19
Save: $2.80 (35%)
3.5 of 5.0 stars
The CSB Study Bible for Women, Teal Flowers LeatherTouch
The CSB Study Bible for Women, Teal Flowers LeatherTouch
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $30.99
Save: $29.00 (48%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
CSB Men's Daily Bible, Hardcover
CSB Men's Daily Bible, Hardcover
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $25.99
Save: $14.00 (35%)
CSB Study Bible, Hardcover
CSB Study Bible, Hardcover
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $36.99
Save: $13.00 (26%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
CSB She Reads Truth Bible, Navy LeatherTouch
CSB She Reads Truth Bible, Navy LeatherTouch
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $24.99
Save: $25.00 (50%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars