1021 Hear my prayer, Yahweh!
Let my cry come to you. 2 Don’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. 3 For my days consume away like smoke.
My bones are burned as a torch. 4 My heart is blighted like grass, and withered,
for I forget to eat my bread. 5 By reason of the voice of my groaning,
my bones stick to my skin. 6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness.
I have become as an owl of the waste places. 7 I watch, and have become like a sparrow that is alone on the housetop. 8 My enemies reproach me all day.
Those who are mad at me use my name as a curse. 9 For I have eaten ashes like bread,
and mixed my drink with tears, 10 Because of your indignation and your wrath,
for you have taken me up, and thrown me away. 11 My days are like a long shadow.
I have withered like grass.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 102:1-11
Commentary on Psalm 102:1-11
(Read Psalm 102:1-11)
The whole word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; but here, is 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.