Psalms 102:1

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible

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!

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 102:1 opens with a profound superscription, immediately establishing the psalm as "A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD." This sets the stage for a deeply personal and raw expression of human suffering. The verse then transitions into the psalmist's urgent plea, "Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee," encapsulating a desperate and honest appeal for divine attention and intervention from one consumed by distress.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 102 is an individual lament, a genre prevalent throughout the Psalter (e.g., [Psalm 6](/psalms/6 "Psalm 6 - A Prayer for Mercy in Distress"), [Psalm 22](/psalms/22 "Psalm 22 - The Cry of the Suffering Servant"), [Psalm 69](/psalms/69 "Psalm 69 - A Prayer of One in Deep Distress")). It belongs to Book IV of the Psalms (Psalms 90-106), which often reflects themes of God's kingship, the suffering of the righteous, and hope for restoration. The superscription in verse 1 is crucial, functioning as a thematic headline that immediately informs the reader of the psalmist's emotional state and the nature of the prayer. It prepares the audience for a deeply personal outpouring of sorrow and an urgent cry for divine response, setting the tone for the vivid descriptions of suffering that follow in subsequent verses.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While Psalm 102 does not explicitly name a specific historical event or individual, its themes of affliction, desolation, and the hope for Zion's restoration (verses 13-22) suggest a potential setting during or after the Babylonian exile. The "afflicted" could represent an individual experiencing profound personal suffering, or it could be a collective voice, embodying the distress of the exiled or a community struggling with oppression and hardship. The act of "pouring out a complaint before the LORD" was a culturally accepted and encouraged form of prayer in ancient Israel, reflecting a belief in God's accessibility and His willingness to engage with human suffering, even in its rawest forms. This practice was often associated with seeking refuge and justice in the temple, the dwelling place of God's presence.

* **Key Themes:** Psalm 102:1 introduces several foundational themes that resonate throughout the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **vulnerability and honesty in prayer**, granting permission for believers to bring their deepest pains, fears, and even "complaints" directly before God without pretense. This models a prayer life rooted in authenticity, trusting in God's understanding and compassion, a truth echoed in [Psalm 62:8](/psalms/62-8 "Psalm 62:8 - Trust in God at All Times"). Secondly, the psalmist's direct appeal, "Hear my prayer, O LORD," underscores **God's accessibility and attentiveness** to the cries of His people, even when they feel utterly overwhelmed. This reflects a fundamental biblical conviction that God is not distant but actively listens and responds to human suffering, a theme powerfully affirmed in [Psalm 34:17](/psalms/34-17 "Psalm 34:17 - The Lord Hears the Righteous"). Finally, the mention of "complaint" (Hebrew: *sîaḥ*) in the superscription introduces the **nature of biblical lament**, which is not disrespectful grumbling but a structured, heartfelt outpouring of burden, seeking solace, understanding, and intervention from the Almighty. This practice transforms private suffering into an act of faith and dependence.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Afflicted (Hebrew, _ʿānî_):** This term describes someone who is poor, humble, meek, or oppressed. It signifies a state of dependency and lowliness, emphasizing the psalmist's sense of helplessness and vulnerability. It suggests not merely a temporary discomfort but a deep, pervasive state of hardship, often associated with social or economic disadvantage, or spiritual distress.
* **Overwhelmed (Hebrew, _ʿāṭaph_):** Derived from a verb meaning "to be faint," "to swoon," or "to envelop," this word vividly portrays the psalmist's feeling of being completely consumed or enshrouded by distress. It suggests a profound sense of weakness, exhaustion, and despair, as if the suffering has wrapped itself around the individual, suffocating their spirit.
* **Complaint (Hebrew, _sîaḥ_):** This word is rich in meaning, encompassing "meditation," "musing," "communion," or "lament." It is not merely a disrespectful grumble but implies a structured, reflective pouring out of thoughts, burdens, and sorrows to God. It suggests an articulate, often agonizing, expression of distress, seeking solace, understanding, and intervention from the Almighty, distinct from mere complaining.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD.":** This is the superscription, a title that functions as a crucial interpretive key for the entire psalm. It immediately identifies the author as an "afflicted" individual, one who is utterly "overwhelmed" by their circumstances. The act of "pouring out his complaint before the LORD" signifies a deliberate, intimate, and honest act of prayer, where the deepest sorrows and burdens are laid bare before God, not in a spirit of accusation but in desperate reliance. This sets the emotional and theological tone for the lament that follows.
* **"Hear my prayer, O LORD,":** This is the direct, urgent plea from the psalmist to God. The imperative "Hear" underscores the desperation and the immediate need for divine attention. It is a bold and direct address to the sovereign God, acknowledging His power and ability to intervene. This phrase is a staple in laments, reflecting the psalmist's conviction that God is not only capable of hearing but is also compassionate enough to listen to the cries of His suffering children.
* **"and let my cry come unto thee.":** This clause parallels the preceding one, intensifying the plea. "My cry" (Hebrew: *shav'ah*) denotes a loud, urgent appeal for help, emphasizing the extreme distress and the desperate need for a divine response. The phrase "come unto thee" expresses the psalmist's earnest desire for their desperate plea to penetrate the heavens and reach the very presence of God, signifying a longing for intimate communion and immediate intervention.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 102:1 employs several powerful literary devices. The entire verse functions as a **Superscription**, a common feature in the Psalms, which serves to introduce the psalm's theme, author, or occasion. Here, it immediately establishes the **Lament** genre, preparing the reader for an outpouring of suffering and a plea for divine intervention. The psalmist uses **Direct Address** by calling out "O LORD," creating an immediate and intimate connection with the divine. The two pleas, "Hear my prayer, O LORD," and "and let my cry come unto thee," demonstrate effective **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second clause reiterates and intensifies the meaning of the first, emphasizing the urgency and desperation of the psalmist's appeal. Finally, the concept of God "hearing" and a "cry" coming "unto thee" employs **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human senses and actions to God, making Him relatable and accessible to the suffering individual.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 102:1 provides profound theological insight into the nature of prayer and God's character. It affirms that God not only permits but welcomes the rawest, most honest expressions of human suffering and complaint. This verse establishes that lament is a legitimate and vital pathway for faith, allowing individuals to bring their brokenness, despair, and overwhelming distress directly before the Creator. It underscores the biblical truth that God is not a distant, unfeeling deity but a compassionate Father who bends His ear to the cries of His children, even when those cries are born of deep anguish. This act of pouring out one's soul before the Lord is an act of profound trust, believing that even in the darkest moments, God remains accessible and attentive, holding the power to hear, to heal, and to restore.

* [Psalm 34:17](/psalms/34-17 "The Lord Hears the Righteous")
* [Jeremiah 33:3](/jeremiah/33-3 "Call to Me and I Will Answer")
* [Lamentations 3:55-56](/lamentations/3-55 "Calling from the Depths")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 102:1 offers immense 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. In a world that often encourages stoicism or superficial positivity, this verse grants profound permission to be utterly honest with our Creator, laying bare our "overwhelmed" state and our "complaints" without fear of judgment. It reminds us that our faith is not defined by the absence of struggle, but by our willingness to bring our struggles directly to the One who hears. This verse encourages believers to cultivate a prayer life marked by transparency and vulnerability, knowing that God welcomes our "complaints" and "cries" when we are at our weakest. 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 and underscoring the spiritual discipline of lament, which transforms private suffering into an act of profound faith and dependence on the compassionate God who truly hears.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Psalm 102:1 validate your own experiences of distress or feeling overwhelmed?**
* **In what ways can you cultivate a more honest and vulnerable prayer life before God, especially when you are suffering?**
* **What does this verse teach us about God's character and His willingness to engage with human suffering, even when expressed as a "complaint"?**

### FAQ
**Is it acceptable to "complain" to God, or is that disrespectful?**

Answer: Psalm 102:1, along with many other psalms of lament, clearly indicates that it is not only acceptable but biblically modeled to "pour out one's complaint before the LORD." The Hebrew word for "complaint" (*sîaḥ*) is better understood as a heartfelt outpouring, a meditation, or a musing on one's distress, rather than disrespectful grumbling. It signifies an articulate expression of sorrow, burden, and even frustration, brought to God in a spirit of trust and dependence, seeking solace, understanding, and intervention. This is distinct from grumbling against God, which expresses a lack of faith or a rebellious spirit. Biblical complaint is an act of faith that acknowledges God's sovereignty and His willingness to hear.

**What does it mean to be "overwhelmed" in the context of this psalm?**

Answer: The Hebrew word translated "overwhelmed" (*ʿāṭaph*) vividly describes a state of extreme physical and emotional exhaustion, akin to fainting or being completely enshrouded by distress. It portrays a person who feels entirely consumed by their suffering, to the point of profound weakness and despair. This isn't just feeling a bit stressed; it's a deep, pervasive sense of being overcome by circumstances, where one feels their spirit is failing. The psalmist uses this strong imagery to convey the depth of their suffering and the urgency of their need for divine intervention, as their very life force seems to be ebbing away.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 102:1, with its raw depiction of the "afflicted" one pouring out their "complaint" and desperate "cry" to the Lord, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential "afflicted" one, who "was oppressed and He was afflicted" ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant")), bearing the weight of humanity's sin and suffering. In His earthly ministry, Jesus experienced the full spectrum of human emotions, including profound distress and being "overwhelmed." His agony in Gethsemane, where He prayed with "loud cries and tears" ([Hebrews 5:7](/hebrews/5-7 "Hebrews 5:7 - Christ's Prayers and Obedience")), and His cry from the cross, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), perfectly embody the spirit of the psalmist's desperate lament. Jesus, as our great High Priest, is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, for He "has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin" ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our High Priest")). He not only understands our overwhelmed state but also perfectly models how to bring our deepest complaints and cries to the Father. Through His atoning work, He transforms our cries of despair into cries of hope, for He intercedes for us eternally, ensuring that our prayers, even our laments, "come unto" the Father, securing for us access and an ultimate answer in His resurrection and glorious return ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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

¶ 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].