1. I: my days are like a shadow, (a) Because it is unsubstantial; because it partakes of the nature of the darkness which is to absorb it; because the longer it becomes the briefer its continuance. (b) I am like grass cut down by the scythe; scorched by drought.
2. Thou. Lord. Ever enduring. Ever memorable. Ever the study of passing generations of men. C. D.
Verse 13.
1. Zion often needs restoration. It needs "mercy."
2. Its restoration is certain: "Thou shalt arise," etc.
3. The seasons of its restoration are determined. There is a "time" to favour her; a "set" time.
4. Intimations of those coming seasons are often given "The time, the set time, is come." G. R.
Verses 13-14.
1. Visitation expected.
2. Predestination relied upon.
3. Evidence observed.
4. Enquiry suggested—Do we take pleasure in her stones? etc.
Verses 13-14. The interest of the Lord's people in the concerns of Zion one of the surest signs of her returning prosperity.
Verse 15. The inward prosperity of the church essential to her power in the world.
Verse 16. God is Zion's purchaser, architect, builder, inhabitant, Lord.
1. Zion built up. Conversions frequent; confessions numerous; union firm; edification solid; missions extended.
2. God glorified. In its very foundation; by its ministry; by difficulties and enemies; by poor workers, and poor materials; and even by our failures.
3. Hope excited. Because we may expect the Lord to glorify himself.
4. Inquiry suggested. Am I concerned, as built, or building? not merely doctrinally, but experimentally?
Verse 17.
1. The destitute pray.
2. They pray most.
4. They pray best.
4. They pray most effectually. Or the surest way to succeed in prayer is to pray as the destitute; show the reason of this.
Verse 18.
1. A memorial.
2. A magnificat. W. Durban.
Verses 18-21.
1. Misery in extremis.
2. Divinity observant.
3. Deity actively assisting.
4. Glory consequently published.
Verses 19-22.
1. The notice which God takes of the world, Ps 102:19. (a) The place from which he beholds it: "from heaven, " not from an earthly point of view. (b) The character in which he beholds it; "from the height of his sanctuary, "from the mercy-seat.
2. What attracts his notice most in the world. The groaning of the prisoner and of those appointed to death.
3. The purpose for which he notices them. "To loose, " etc.;" to declare," etc. (a) For human comfort. (b) For his own glory.
4. When his notice is thus fixed upon the earth. "When, " etc., Ps 102:22. G. R.
Verse 23. For the sick.
1. Submission—The Lord sent the trial—" He weakeneth," etc.
2. Service—exonerated from some work, he now requires of me patience, earnestness, etc.
3. Preparation—for going home.
4. Prayer—for others to occupy my place.
5. Expectation—I shall soon be in heaven, now that my days are shortened.
Verse 24.
1. The prayer. "Take me not away, "etc. (a) Not in the midst of life, is the prayer of some. (b) Not in the midst of worldly prosperity is the prayer of many, for the sake of those dependent upon them. (c) Not in the midst of spiritual growth, is the prayer of not a few: "Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, "etc. (d) Not in the midst of Christian work and usefulness, is the prayer of others.
2. The plea. "Thy years, "etc.; years are plentiful with thee, therefore to give me longer days will be an easy gift—and thine own are throughout all generations. G. R.
Verse 25-27.
1. The unchangeableness of God amidst past changes: "of old," etc. (a) He was the same before as after he had laid the foundations of the earth. (b) He was the same after as before.
2. The unchangeableness of God amidst future changes. "They shall perish," etc. (a) The same before they perish as after. (b) After as before.
3. The unchangeableness of God in the past and the future. "Thou art the same," etc. G. R.
Verse 26-27.
1. How far God may change—only in his garments, or outward manifestations of creation and providence.
2. Wherein he cannot change—his nature, attributes, covenant, love, etc.
3. The comfortable truths which may be safely inferred, or which gather support from this fact.
Verse 26-27.
1. The material universe of God. (a) No more to him than a garment to the wearer. (b) Ever waxing old, but he the same. (c) Soon to be changed and left to perish, but of his years no end.
2. Our relation to each (a) Let us never love the dress more than the wearer. (b) Nor trust more in the changeful than in the abiding. (c) Nor live for that which will die out.
Verse 28. The true apostolical succession.
1. There always will be saints.
2. They will frequently be the seed of the saints after the flesh.
3. They will always be the spiritual seed of the godly, for God converts one by means of another.
4. We should order our efforts with an eye to the church's future.
WORKS UPON THE HUNDRED AND SECOND PSALM
BISHOP FISHER'S Treatise on the Penitential Psalms. (See "Treasury of David, "Vol. II., pg 114.) There is an edition in 12mo., printed in the year MDCCXIV., besides those referred to as above.
In "Meditations on Twenty select Psalms , by Sir SIR ANTHONY COPE, Chamberlain to Queen Katherine Parr. Reprinted from the edition of 1547; ...By WILLIAM H. COPE. M.A. 1848, "there is a Meditation on this Psalm.
Meditations and Disquisitions upon the Seven Psalms of David, commonly called the Penitentiall Psalmes, By Sir RICHARD BAKER , Knight . 1639. pg 139-180.
Zion's Joy in her King Coming in his Glory. Wherein the estate of the Poore distressed Church of the Gentiles (travailing in the Wildernesse towards the new Jerusalem of the Jewes) in her utmost extremities, and height of her Joyes, is lively delineated; In some Meditations upon that Propheticall Psalme 102, wherein the sense is opened, and many difficult places of Scripture inlightned by a harmony, and consent of the Scriptures. Delightfull and profitable to be read in these times of the Churches troubles, and much longed for restauration and deliverance. By FINIENS CANUS VOVE. Compiled in Exile, and lately now revised and somewhat augmented as the weight of the Subject and the revolution of the times required... 1643. 4to.
In "Sermons on the Seven Penitential Psalms, Preached during Lent , 1838," by the Rev. CHARLES OXENDON, there is an Exposition of this Psalm.