Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Psalms
Book: Psalms
Chapter: 102
Overview:
A sorrowful complaint of great
Afflictions.
(1-11)
Encouragement
By expecting the performances of
God's promises to
his
Church.
(12-22) The unchangeableness of
God.
(23-28)
1-11 The whole
Word of God is of use to direct us in
Prayer;
but here, as often elsewhere, the
Holy Ghost has
Put words into
our mouths. Here is a
Prayer Put into the hands of the
afflicted; let them present it to
God. Even good men may be
almost overwhelmed with
Afflictions. It is our duty and interest
to pray; and it is comfort to an afflicted
Spirit to unburden
itself,
By a humble representation of its griefs. We must say,
Blessed be the name of the
Lord, who both gives and takes away.
The psalmist looked upon himself as a dying
Man; My days are
like a
Shadow.
12-22 We are dying creatures, but
God is an
Everlasting God,
the protector of his
Church; we may be confident that it will
not be neglected. When we consider our own vileness, our
Darkness and deadness, and the manifold defects in our prayers,
we have cause to fear that they will not be received in
Heaven;
but we are here assured of the contrary, for we have an
Advocate
with the
Father, and are under
Grace, not under the
Law.
Redemption is the subject of praise in the
Christian Church; and
that great work is described
By the temporal deliverance and
restoration of
Israel. Look down upon us,
Lord Jesus; and bring
us into the glorious liberty of thy children, that we may
Bless
and praise thy name.
23-28 Bodily distempers soon weaken our strength, then what can
we expect but that our months should be cut off in the midst;
and what should we do but provide accordingly? We must own
God's
Hand in it; and must reconcile this to his
Love, for often those
that have used their strength
Well, have it weakened; and those
who, as we think, can very ill be spared, have their days
shortened. It is very comfortable, in reference to all the
changes and dangers of the
Church, to remember that
Jesus Christ
is the same yesterday, to-
Day, and for ever. And in reference to
the
Death of our bodies, and the removal of friends, to remember
that
God is an
Everlasting God. Do not let us overlook the
Assurance this psalm contains of a happy
End to all the
believer's trials. Though all things are changing, dying,
perishing, like a vesture folding up and hastening to decay, yet
Jesus lives, and thus all is secure, for he hath said, Because I
live ye shall live also.