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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 102:21

Verse 21 21That the name of Jehovah may be declared in Zion Here is celebrated a still more ample and richer fruit of this deliverance than has been previously mentioned, which is, that the Jews would not only be united into one body to give thanks to God, but that, when brought back to their own country, they would also gather kings and nations into the same unity of faith, and into the same divine worship with themselves. At that time it was a thing altogether incredible, not only that the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 102:23

Verse 23 23.He hath afflicted my strength in the way Some improperly restrict this complaint to the time when the Jews were subjected to much annoyance after the liberty granted them to return to their own land. We are rather to understand the word journey or way in a metaphorical sense. As the manifestation of Christ was the goal of the race which God’s ancient people were running, they justly complain that they are afflicted and weakened in the midst of their course. (158) Thus they set... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 102:24

Verse 24 What then does the prophet mean when he prays, Let us not perish in the midst of our course? (160) The reason stated in the clause immediately following, Thy years are from generation to generation, seems to be quite inapplicable in the present case. Because God is everlasting, does it therefore follow that men will be everlasting too? But on Psalms 90:2, we have shown how we may with propriety bring forward his eternity, as a ground of confidence in reference to our salvation; for he... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 102:25

Verse 25 25Thou hast aforetime founded the earth Here the sacred writer amplifies what he had previously stated, declaring, that compared with God the whole world is a form which quickly vanishes away; and yet a little after he represents the Church as exempted from this the common lot of all sublunary things, because she has for her foundation the word of God, while her safety is secured by the same word. Two subjects are therefore here brought under our consideration. The first is, that since... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 102:1-28

The psalm consists of three main portions: first, a complaint, prefaced by an appeal to God for aid (verses 1-11); secondly, a confident expression of an assured hope and trust in a speedy deliverance (verses 12-22); and thirdly, a contrast between human weakness and God's strength and unchangeableness, resulting in a conviction that, whatever becomes of the writer, the seed of Israel will be preserved and established before God forever (verses 23-28). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 102:1-28

Light arising in darkness. The authorship and therefore the date of this psalm cannot be certainly fixed, or whether it be a national or an individual utterance; probably it is the latter. The alternations of thought and feeling are very noteworthy. We have— I. EARNEST PRAYER . ( Psalms 102:1 , Psalms 102:2 .) There is an ascending scale, reaching to a climax. 1 . That the Lord would hear. "Hear, O Lord." 2 . For close access. "Let my cry come unto thee." Do not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 102:12-27

Changing self; changing world; unchanging God. A very favourite contrast with psalmists and poets. I. A CONTRAST BASED ON A FACT . The fact is that man's life is changeable and brief. This is true of a man's bodily life, intellectual life, and life of relations. It is impressed on a man in his times of sickness, especially when sickness comes breaking into and breaking up his plans, as in the case of king Hezekiah. Here the psalmist puts the fact into two figures—the passing... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 102:13-22

God's care for his people (Christ's care for his Church). The psalm passes from the individual to the nation or the society, and we have an earnest, effectual appeal for Divine pity and restoration. Primarily applicable to the ancient people of God, it applies as well to the recurring necessities of the Christian Church. We have— I. THE COMMUNITY ( THE CHURCH ) IN SORE DISTRESS . It is in a position to receive the mercy— the pity and the redemption of the Lord ( Psalms... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 102:19

For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary. God's true sanctuary is the heaven of heavens wherein he dwells. Earthly sanctuaries are but shadows of this. From heaven did the Lord behold the earth (comp. Exodus 2:23-25 ). As God in the days of old had looked down on the affliction of his people in Egypt, so did he now "look down" and "behold" their sufferings in Babylon. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 102:20

To hear the groaning of the prisoner (see Exodus 2:24 , "God heard their groaning;" and comp. Exodus 3:7 ; Exodus 6:5 ). To loose those that are appointed to death ; literally, the sons of death (comp. Psalms 79:11 ). Captive Israel regarded its life in Babylon as little better than death (see Ezekiel 37:11 ). read more

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