Psalms 102:14

For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.

For thy servants {H5650} take pleasure {H7521} in her stones {H68}, and favour {H2603} the dust {H6083} thereof.

For your servants love her very stones; they take pity even on her dust.

For Your servants delight in her stones and take pity on her dust.

For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, And have pity upon her dust.

Commentary

Psalms 102:14 is a poignant expression of deep affection and longing for the restoration of Jerusalem, particularly in its ruined state. This verse, part of a prayer of an afflicted person, shifts focus from individual suffering to the collective hope for Zion's renewal.

Context

The Psalm (102) is a lament, often attributed to someone in deep distress, praying for God's intervention. It begins with the psalmist's personal anguish (vv. 1-11) but then transitions to a broader plea for the restoration of Zion (vv. 12-22). Verse 14 comes after the declaration that God will "arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come" (Psalms 102:13). The "stones" and "dust" vividly describe Jerusalem's desolate condition, likely after the Babylonian exile or during another period of ruin. Despite this, the faithful "servants" (God's people) cherish even the remnants of their beloved city, demonstrating unwavering hope in God's promises for its future.

Key Themes

  • Unwavering Devotion to Zion: The verse highlights the profound spiritual attachment of God's people to Jerusalem, not just as a physical city but as the symbolic dwelling place of God and the center of their faith. Their love extends even to its brokenness and ruins.
  • Hope in Restoration: Despite present desolation, there is an underlying current of hope for God's future intervention. The "pleasure" in its stones and "favour" for its dust are expressions of faith that God will indeed restore it, as stated in the preceding verse. This hope is not wishful thinking but rooted in God's character and covenant promises.
  • God's People's Identification with His Purposes: The "servants" here are those who align their desires with God's plans for His holy city. Their longing for Zion's rebuilding mirrors God's own intention to restore His people and His dwelling place.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word for "take pleasure" (ื—ึธื ึทืŸ, chanan) here implies deep affection, grace, or favor. It's the same root word used in Psalms 102:13 for God's "mercy" or "favor" upon Zion. This parallel suggests that the servants' love for Zion is a reflection of God's own grace towards it. The "stones" (ืึฒื‘ึธื ึถื™ื”ึธ, avaneha) and "dust" (ืขึฒืคึธืจึธื”ึผ, apharah) vividly convey the utter ruin and desolation of the city, yet they are cherished remnants, signifying a deep-seated hope for renewal.

Practical Application

This verse offers a powerful lesson for believers today:

  • Love for God's Kingdom: Just as the ancient Israelites longed for Jerusalem, believers should have a deep love and passion for the advancement of God's kingdom, even when it appears imperfect or struggling in the world.
  • Hope Amidst Desolation: It encourages us to find hope and cherish the spiritual remnants of God's work even in times of personal or collective desolation. Our faith should not waver when circumstances are difficult, but rather, we should look forward to God's promised renewal. This resonates with the New Testament's focus on a heavenly city and a New Jerusalem.
  • Patience and Persistence: The verse implies a patient endurance, knowing that God's "set time" for restoration will come. It calls for continued prayer and devotion, even when the full manifestation of God's promises is not yet visible.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • Nehemiah 4:2

    And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?

  • Psalms 79:1

    ยถ A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.

  • Nehemiah 1:3

    And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province [are] in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also [is] broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.

  • Psalms 79:7

    For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place.

  • Psalms 79:10

    Wherefore should the heathen say, Where [is] their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight [by] the revenging of the blood of thy servants [which is] shed.

  • Nehemiah 4:6

    So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.

  • Ezra 7:27

    ยถ Blessed [be] the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put [such a thing] as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which [is] in Jerusalem:
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