Time to be Gracious to Zion - Psalm 102

Intro: In our monthly series from the Psalms, we look at , a Psalm of petition to God for relief, both individually and nationally. The author is not identified, even in abstract. But, the message points to a time of national and personal suffering because of God’s wrath – vs.10.

I) Call of the distressed – vs.1-11

A) Psalm begins with borrowed phrases of similar writings – vs.1-2; ; – showing that using repeated phrases in prayer is acceptable

Psalm 39:13 ESV

Look away from me, that I may smile again, before I depart and am no more!”

Psalm 27:9 ESV

Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation!

B) Original and unique language is also found, describing the state of suffering for the petitioner – vs.3-7 – describing the breakdown of the flesh from his mental anguish, he compares himself to unclean nocturnal birds that live in solitude

C) He is reproached by his enemies continually, and eats ashes as bread, and drinks tears as water – vs.8-9

D) This is because of God’s indignation and wrath that he has been cast away to wither like cut grass – vs.10-11 – although the idea of relocation would suggest God’s wrath against the nation, nothing in the grammar supports understanding the target of God’s wrath as being anything but the writer himself

II) Compassion on Zion – vs.12-17

A) As the object of God’s compassion switches to the nation, it suggests that the personal suffering of the writer is a direct result of the national disgrace; this suggests a connection between the church and our own condition before God

B) Based on God’s eternity, the author knows that will bring compassion once again on Zion, it is time for this to happen – ,

Daniel 9:2–5 ESV

in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules.

Daniel 9:16–19 ESV

“O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”

C) Servants of Jehovah will find pleasure – – in the stones and dust of Zion (city of Jerusalem, particularly the temple site)

Proverbs 14:21 ESV

Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.

D) But the Gentiles will fear the Lord, not in terror, but in reverence –

Isaiah 40:1–5 ESV

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

E) Because God will listen to the prayer of the destitute – ;

Jeremiah 17:6 ESV

He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.

Jeremiah 48:6 ESV

Flee! Save yourselves! You will be like a juniper in the desert!

III) Generation(s) to come – vs.18-22

A) Clear reference to the future fulfillment of this promise to restore Zion – v.18 – that a later generation will praise God

B) God looks down from His holy height – vs.19-20 – which emphasizes His overview of all things, and His glory; to hear the groaning of those who suffer

C) Result is that freed men will praise God in Zion to Jerusalem to all kingdoms

IV) God is the same – vs.23-28

A) An appeal that God not remove him while he lives – vs.23-24 – since he wants to experience the eternity of God

B) God is eternal, so His work in establishing His people will survive even the end of the physical creation – vs.25-27 – quoted by the Hebrew writer – – to speak of the eternity of the Son

Hebrews 1:10–12 ESV

And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.”

C) This gives hope to the servants of God and their children for all generations

Concl: God chastises His people, but for their own good, that He might establish them forever in his care.