Psalms 102:1

ยถ A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.

A Prayer {H8605} of the afflicted {H6041}, when he is overwhelmed {H5848}, and poureth out {H8210} his complaint {H7879} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}. Hear {H8085} my prayer {H8605}, O LORD {H3068}, and let my cry {H7775} come {H935} unto thee.

Prayer of a sufferer overcome by weakness and pouring out his complaint before ADONAI: ADONAI, hear my prayer! Let my cry for help reach you!

Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come before You.

Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, And let my cry come unto thee.

Commentary

Context and Introduction

Psalm 102 opens with a poignant superscription, "A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD." This immediately sets the stage for a deeply personal and emotionally charged appeal. It identifies the psalmist not as a king or prophet in a moment of triumph, but as an individual consumed by distress, feeling utterly "overwhelmed." This psalm is a classic example of an individual lament, a common genre in the Psalms where the writer expresses profound suffering and urgently seeks divine intervention. The opening verses, "Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee," encapsulate the core plea: a desperate call for God's attention and response from one who feels at the end of their tether.

Key Themes

  • Vulnerability and Honesty in Prayer: This verse grants profound permission to believers to bring their raw emotions, deepest pains, and even their "complaints" directly before God. It models a prayer life that does not hide despair or weakness but lays it bare before the Creator, trusting in His understanding.
  • God's Accessibility and Attentiveness: Despite feeling utterly overwhelmed, the psalmist approaches God with the conviction that He is present and capable of hearing. This reflects a fundamental biblical truth that God is not distant but actively engages with human suffering, a theme powerfully echoed in Psalm 34:17, where the righteous cry, and the Lord hears them.
  • The Nature of Biblical Complaint: The "complaint" (Hebrew: siach) mentioned in the superscription is not a disrespectful grumbling, but a heartfelt outpouring of burden. It signifies a meditative, articulate expression of sorrow and distress, seeking solace, understanding, and intervention from the Almighty.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "afflicted" is ani (ืขึธื ึดื™), which often describes someone who is poor, humble, meek, or oppressed. It emphasizes a state of dependency and lowliness, highlighting the psalmist's sense of helplessness.
  • "Overwhelmed" comes from the Hebrew verb ataph (ืขึธื˜ึทืฃ), meaning "to be faint," "to swoon," or "to envelop." This vividly portrays the psalmist's feeling of being completely consumed or enshrouded by distress, leading to extreme weakness and exhaustion.
  • The term "complaint" is siach (ืฉึดื‚ื™ื—ึท), which can also mean "meditation," "musing," or "communion." It suggests a structured, reflective pouring out of thoughts and burdens to God, rather than merely an uncontrolled outburst.
  • The word "cry" is shav'ah (ืฉึทืื•ึฐืขึธื”), signifying a loud, urgent cry for help, underscoring the desperation and urgency of the psalmist's plea for divine attention.

Practical Application

Psalm 102:1 offers profound comfort and validation to anyone enduring deep emotional, physical, or spiritual distress. It assures us that it is not only permissible but divinely welcomed to express our deepest anguish to God.

This verse encourages believers to be transparent and honest in their prayers, knowing that God welcomes our "complaints" and "cries" when we are overwhelmed. It serves as a powerful reminder that God promises to answer when we call upon Him, providing a lifeline of hope in moments of despair. It underscores the spiritual discipline of lament, which transforms private suffering into an act of faith and dependence on the compassionate God who hears.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 18:6

    In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, [even] into his ears.

  • Psalms 130:1

    ยถ A Song of degrees. Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.

  • Psalms 130:2

    Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

  • Psalms 142:2

    I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.

  • Psalms 142:3

    When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.

  • Psalms 61:2

    From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock [that] is higher than I.

  • Psalms 39:12

    Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I [am] a stranger with thee, [and] a sojourner, as all my fathers [were].
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