Psalms 102:17

KJV

He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.

KJV (with Strong's)

He will regard {H6437} the prayer {H8605} of the destitute {H6199}, and not despise {H959} their prayer {H8605}.

Complete Jewish Bible

when he has heeded the plea of the poor and not despised their prayer.

Berean Standard Bible

He will turn toward the prayer of the destitute; He will not despise their prayer.

American Standard Version

He hath regarded the prayer of the destitute, And hath not despised their prayer.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 102:17 offers profound assurance of God's unwavering attentiveness and compassionate response to the cries of the most vulnerable. It declares that the Lord actively turns His ear toward those who are stripped of all human support and resources, valuing their petitions and never disdaining their desperate pleas. This verse stands as a powerful testament to God's character as a loving and just Father who deeply cares for the afflicted and responds to their humble prayers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 102 is a deeply personal and poignant lament, explicitly titled "A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the Lord." The psalmist, likely facing severe personal distress, illness, or perhaps even national calamity, pours out a raw expression of suffering, isolation, and a profound sense of abandonment (e.g., [Psalms 102:3-11](/psalms/102-3 "Psalms 102:3-11 - The Psalmist's Anguish")). Amidst this intense personal anguish and a plea for relief, the psalm undergoes a remarkable shift. From [Psalms 102:12](/psalms/102-12 "Psalms 102:12 - God's Enduring Nature"), the focus moves from the psalmist's fleeting life to God's eternal nature and His enduring plans for Zion. Verse 17 serves as a pivotal point in this transition, moving from the psalmist's personal despair to a declaration of God's faithfulness and His covenantal care, particularly for the vulnerable and downtrodden, providing a beacon of hope that transcends individual suffering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The context of Psalm 102 is the experience of deep affliction, which could stem from personal illness, social ostracization, or the devastation of exile (as suggested by references to Zion's desolation in [Psalms 102:13-16](/psalms/102-13 "Psalms 102:13-16 - God's Favor for Zion")). In ancient Israel, the "destitute" (`'ar'ar`) were not merely the financially poor but encompassed those who were socially marginalized, oppressed, or utterly without human recourse—widows, orphans, sojourners, and the sick. The Mosaic Law and prophetic tradition repeatedly emphasize God's special concern for these vulnerable groups (e.g., [Deuteronomy 15:7-11](/deuteronomy/15-7 "Deuteronomy 15:7-11 - Care for the Poor") and [Amos 5:24](/amos/5-24 "Amos 5:24 - Justice and Righteousness")). The act of prayer, especially from the Temple or facing Jerusalem, was central to Israelite piety, and the assurance that God would hear the prayers of the "destitute" was a radical statement of divine justice and compassion in a world where the powerful often ignored the weak.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalms and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Compassion for the Vulnerable**. God is not a distant deity but one intimately concerned with the suffering of His people, especially those who are most helpless and forgotten. This resonates with God's self-revelation as "compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness" found in [Exodus 34:6](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6 - God's Character Revealed"). Secondly, it highlights the **Efficacy of Humble Prayer**. The verse affirms that prayer, particularly from a place of desperation and complete dependence, is not ignored by God. It assures that such petitions find favor in His sight, emphasizing that the sincerity and need of the heart matter more than eloquence or status. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **God's Unwavering Attentiveness and Faithfulness**. "He will regard" signifies God's active listening, consideration, and valuing of the prayer, while "and not despise their prayer" further reinforces that their cries are not scorned or dismissed, regardless of the petitioner's lowly status or the perceived insignificance of their plea. This truth provides profound hope amidst despair, assuring that God's covenant promises extend even to the most afflicted.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Regard (Hebrew, _panah'_):** This verb literally means "to turn," "to turn toward," or "to face." In this context, it signifies God's active attention and favorable inclination. It's not merely a passive hearing but an intentional turning towards the petitioner, implying consideration, care, and a readiness to respond. It conveys a sense of divine presence and engagement with the one who prays.
* **Destitute (Hebrew, _'ar'ar'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be bare," "stripped," or "exposed," this word vividly portrays a state of extreme vulnerability, desolation, and utter lack of resources or support. It refers to someone who is utterly helpless, without any human means of relief, and therefore completely dependent on divine intervention. This emphasizes the depth of the petitioner's need and highlights God's particular concern for those who are truly without anything to offer or rely upon except Him.
* **Despise (Hebrew, _bazah'_):** This verb means "to scorn," "to treat with contempt," "to disdain," or "to reject." The negation, "not despise," powerfully underscores God's acceptance and validation of the prayer. It assures the petitioner that their cries, however weak, uneloquent, or from a place of perceived unworthiness, will not be met with contempt or dismissal, but with divine welcome and affirmation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He will regard the prayer of the destitute":** This clause declares God's active and compassionate attention to those who are utterly stripped of human help, resources, or dignity. The divine "turning toward" (regard) signifies an intentional act of listening, valuing, and considering the petition of the one who is most vulnerable and dependent. It highlights God's unique concern for the marginalized and forgotten, asserting that their voices are not lost in the clamor of the world but are specifically sought out by the Almighty.
* **"and not despise their prayer":** This second clause functions as a powerful reinforcement and clarification of the first. By negating the possibility of God despising their prayer, it removes any doubt about His acceptance. It assures that the prayers of the humble, the broken, and the seemingly insignificant are never scorned, rejected, or treated with contempt. Instead, they are received with divine favor, validating the worth and dignity of the petitioner in God's eyes, regardless of their earthly status or perceived unworthiness.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its message. Most prominently, it utilizes **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second clause ("and not despise their prayer") reiterates and intensifies the meaning of the first ("He will regard the prayer of the destitute"). This repetition serves to emphasize the certainty and unwavering nature of God's attentiveness and acceptance. The use of **Negation** ("not despise") further strengthens the affirmation of God's positive disposition, highlighting His compassionate character by explicitly ruling out the opposite. Additionally, there is a subtle form of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human actions and emotions (to "regard" and "not despise") to God, making His divine attributes more relatable and comprehensible to the human experience of prayer and relationship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 102:17 is a cornerstone verse for understanding God's character as fundamentally compassionate and just, particularly towards the vulnerable. It reveals a God who does not operate according to human hierarchies or social standing, but whose ear is uniquely inclined towards those in their deepest need. This truth undergirds the biblical emphasis on prayer as a powerful means of communion with God, especially for those who feel they have nothing left but their voice. It affirms that God's covenant faithfulness extends to every individual, regardless of their circumstances, and that His justice is expressed through His active response to the cries of the oppressed. This divine attentiveness also serves as a model for human compassion, calling believers to reflect God's heart for the "destitute" in their own communities.

* [Isaiah 57:15](/isaiah/57-15 "Isaiah 57:15 - God Dwells with the Humble")
* [James 5:16](/james/5-16 "James 5:16 - The Prayer of a Righteous Person")
* [Luke 18:7-8](/luke/18-7 "Luke 18:7-8 - The Parable of the Persistent Widow")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 102:17 offers profound comfort and practical guidance for believers today. In a world that often overlooks or dismisses the marginalized, this verse reminds us that God's perspective is radically different. It encourages us, when we feel overwhelmed, forgotten, or utterly depleted—whether physically, emotionally, spiritually, or financially—to bring our raw, unvarnished prayers before the Lord. Our perceived lack of eloquence, worthiness, or strength does not diminish the value of our petitions in God's sight. He actively seeks out the cries of the "destitute," not to judge them, but to embrace them with compassion and respond with divine intervention. This truth should embolden us to pray with absolute confidence, knowing that our desperate pleas are not only heard but "regarded" and never "despised" by the God who cares deeply for His children. Furthermore, it challenges us to cultivate a similar heart of compassion, actively seeking out and responding to the needs of the vulnerable in our own spheres of influence, becoming agents of God's regard in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might we, like the psalmist, feel "destitute" in our own lives today, and how does this verse speak specifically to that feeling of vulnerability or lack?**
* **How does understanding God's character as One who "regards" and "does not despise" shape your approach to prayer, especially when you feel unworthy, unheard, or that your prayers are insignificant?**
* **Beyond personal comfort, how can we, as individuals and communities of faith, reflect God's "regard" for the destitute in our own spheres of influence, actively listening to and advocating for the marginalized?**

### FAQ
**What does "destitute" truly mean in this context, and does it only apply to material poverty?**

Answer: The Hebrew word translated "destitute" is _'ar'ar_ (עַרְעָר), which literally means "stripped," "bare," or "exposed." While it certainly includes those in material poverty, its meaning is much broader. It encompasses anyone in a state of extreme vulnerability, desolation, or utter lack of resources or support—whether physical, emotional, spiritual, or relational. It describes a person who is completely dependent on divine intervention because all human avenues of help have failed or are nonexistent. Therefore, this verse applies not only to the financially poor but also to the heartbroken, the lonely, the oppressed, the sick, and anyone who feels utterly helpless and without recourse, echoing the "poor in spirit" whom Jesus declares blessed in [Matthew 5:3](/matthew/5-3 "Matthew 5:3 - Blessed are the Poor in Spirit").

**How does God "regard" prayer, and what does it mean that He "does not despise" it?**

Answer: To "regard" (Hebrew _panah'_) implies much more than simply hearing. It signifies God's active, intentional turning towards the prayer, giving it His full attention, consideration, and favor. It suggests a divine inclination of the ear and heart towards the petitioner, valuing their words and their need. The phrase "and not despise their prayer" further reinforces this. To "despise" (Hebrew _bazah'_) means to scorn, treat with contempt, or reject. By stating that God "does not despise" the prayer of the destitute, the psalmist assures us that no prayer, no matter how simple, desperate, or seemingly unworthy the petitioner, will be met with disdain or dismissal by God. Instead, it is received with acceptance, compassion, and a readiness to respond, demonstrating God's radical grace and welcoming nature, in stark contrast to human judgment or indifference.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 102:17 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of God's "regard" for the destitute, actively seeking out and ministering to the poor, the sick, the marginalized, and the outcast during His earthly ministry ([Matthew 9:35-36](/matthew/9-35 "Matthew 9:35-36 - Jesus' Compassion for the Crowds")). Jesus Himself became "destitute" for our sake, emptying Himself of divine glory to take on human form, experiencing hunger, weariness, and ultimately suffering the ultimate vulnerability of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:7-8](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7-8 - Christ's Humiliation")). In His incarnation, He fully identified with humanity's deepest needs and vulnerabilities, becoming the perfect High Priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Christ Our High Priest")). Through His atoning sacrifice, He has opened the way for all, especially the "destitute" in spirit, to approach God's throne of grace with confidence, knowing their prayers will be heard and "regarded" through Him ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")). As our resurrected Lord, He continues to intercede for us at the right hand of God, ensuring that the Father always "regards" and "does not despise" the prayers of those who come to Him through the Son ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession") and [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Priesthood")). Thus, Jesus is the living assurance that God's ear is always inclined to the cries of the brokenhearted, and through Him, our most desperate prayers are always welcomed.

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

Nehemiah 1:6

Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned.

Psalms 22:24

For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jeremiah 29:14

And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

Psalms 9:18

For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall [not] perish for ever.

Psalms 72:12

For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and [him] that hath no helper.

Deuteronomy 32:36

For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that [their] power is gone, and [there is] none shut up, or left.