Psalms 102:26

26. They shall perish That is, being created, they are perishable. Their existence is not necessary, but dependent; not inherent, but derived. “They continue this day according to thine ordinances,” (Psalms 119:91;) but not from any self-sustaining power. Therefore, nothing in man or nature is to be trusted, but God only, the Eternal, the Creator, the Faithful.

Shalt thou change them That is, If it be thy will so to do it will not contradict thine attributes. But the implication is, Thou wilt sooner change them than alter, or fail, in thy word of promise to thy Church. Thus the same form expressed more fully, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall not pass away,” (Matthew 24:35,) is to be explained by “until heaven and earth pass away,” etc,, or, “it is easier for heaven and earth to pass,” etc., (Matthew 5:18; Luke 16:17,) that is, it is a conditional proposition. But the Hebrews held to the doctrine that the earth and its atmosphere, and even the whole system of nature, would be destroyed, and from the ruins would spring a new and renovated state of things. The text, with many other passages, harmonizes with this view. See Job 14:12; Psalms 72:5; Psalms 72:7; Isaiah 51:16; Isaiah 65:17-18; Isaiah 66:22. The same is taught in the New Testament. 2 Peter 3:10; 2 Peter 3:12-13; Revelation 20:11; Revelation 21:1. In many other places the destruction of the heavenly bodies, and the darkening of the sun and moon, represent, symbolically, the downfall and catastrophe of nations, as in Isaiah 13:10-11; Isaiah 13:13; Isaiah 34:5; Ezekiel 32:7. “These very figurative expressions presuppose the literal idea,” ( Knapp,) particularly as far as this earth is concerned. The word “change,” ( חלפ ,) in the text, properly denotes a progressive change a passing on to a further stage, (Isaiah 51:6; Isaiah 65:17-18; Revelation 21:27; 2 Peter 3:13;) and this geology itself makes probable, in the doctrine of catastrophe and renewal, and of progressive species. The text, with Zephaniah 1:14-18, especially Psalms 102:15, as rendered in the Vulgate, ( Dies irae dies illa, etc.,) and 2 Peter 3:10, are supposed to have suggested that incomparable poem of the ages, “ Dies Irae,” (Day of Wrath,) which, for five hundred years, has been the admiration of the Christian world, having passed into eighty versions. It is used in the Romish Church as the sequence for All Souls’ Day, and in all masses for the dead.