Psalms 102:20

KJV

To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;

KJV (with Strong's)

To hear {H8085} the groaning {H603} of the prisoner {H615}; to loose {H6605} those that are appointed {H1121} to death {H8546};

Complete Jewish Bible

to listen to the sighing of the prisoner, to set free those who are sentenced to death,

Berean Standard Bible

to hear a prisoner’s groaning, to release those condemned to death,

American Standard Version

To hear the sighing of the prisoner; To loose those that are appointed to death;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 102:20 offers a profound declaration of God's compassionate and active engagement with the most desperate and vulnerable. Amidst the psalmist's deep personal lament and sense of abandonment, this verse shifts focus to the Lord's eternal character as one who not only intimately perceives the suffering of the imprisoned and oppressed but also possesses the sovereign power to deliver those facing imminent death. It serves as a beacon of hope, affirming divine attentiveness and intervention even in the most hopeless human predicaments.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 102 is categorized as a communal lament, though it is deeply personal in its expression, often referred to as "A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before the LORD." It is one of the seven traditional penitential psalms, characterized by intense suffering, a plea for divine intervention, and a shift towards hope rooted in God's eternal nature. Verses 1-11 detail the psalmist's overwhelming physical and emotional distress, feeling like a withered plant and isolated. Verses 12-22, where our verse is located, mark a turning point, moving from personal despair to a broader, more hopeful perspective on God's enduring sovereignty and His future restoration of Zion. Our verse, specifically, stands as a powerful testament to God's character as a deliverer, providing a stark contrast to the psalmist's immediate anguish and setting the stage for the declaration of God's eternal reign and covenant faithfulness in the subsequent verses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the specific historical occasion for Psalm 102 is not explicitly stated, its themes resonate with periods of national distress or personal exile, such as the Babylonian captivity or post-exilic struggles. The imagery of "prisoner" and "appointed to death" would have been very real in ancient Near Eastern societies, where imprisonment was often harsh and execution common, sometimes without due process. The "groaning" of the oppressed was a familiar sound, and the concept of a just God hearing the cries of the afflicted was a foundational element of Israelite theology, often tied to their liberation from Egyptian bondage as seen in [Exodus 2:24](/exodus/2-24 "Exodus 2:24 - God Hears Israel's Groaning"). Culturally, lament psalms provided a structured, divinely sanctioned outlet for expressing profound suffering and doubt while simultaneously affirming faith in God's ultimate justice and power to redeem, even when circumstances seemed bleak.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 102 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Compassion and Attentiveness**, highlighting that God is not a distant deity but one who actively "hears the groaning" of those in distress, a theme echoed in [Psalm 34:17](/psalms/34-17 "Psalm 34:17 - The Lord Hears the Righteous"). Secondly, it emphasizes **God's Sovereign Power and Liberation**, demonstrating His unique capacity "to loose those that are appointed to death," signifying His ability to intervene in even the most dire and hopeless situations, bringing freedom from physical, spiritual, or existential bondage. This resonates with God's historical acts of deliverance, such as freeing Israel from slavery, as recounted in [Exodus 6:5-6](/exodus/6-5 "Exodus 6:5-6 - God Remembers His Covenant and Delivers Israel"). Finally, it offers a profound message of **Hope for the Helpless**, assuring that no situation is beyond God's reach or too desperate for His intervention, even for those facing the ultimate finality of death, thereby reinforcing the psalmist's ultimate trust in God's eternal nature (cf. [Psalm 102:12](/psalms/102-12 "Psalm 102:12 - God's Enduring Nature")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Groaning (Hebrew, _ʾănāqâ_):** This term denotes a deep, involuntary cry of pain, anguish, or distress, often associated with oppression, confinement, or extreme suffering. It's a sound of raw, unadulterated agony that rises from the depths of a person's being. The use of this word emphasizes the intensity of the suffering and the profound empathy of God who perceives not just a complaint, but the very sound of a breaking spirit.
* **Prisoner (Hebrew, _ʾāsîr_):** While literally referring to someone in physical confinement, _ʾāsîr_ broadly encompasses anyone who is bound, captive, or in a state of severe restriction and oppression—whether by literal chains, social injustice, illness, or overwhelming circumstances. It highlights a state of helplessness and lack of freedom, emphasizing the vulnerability of those whose plight God hears.
* **Appointed to death (Hebrew, _bĕnê tĕmûtâ_):** Literally "sons of death," this powerful idiom describes those condemned to die, facing execution, or on the very brink of demise from affliction, disease, or adverse circumstances. It underscores their utter helplessness and the perceived finality of their human predicament, a situation from which only divine power can bring reversal or deliverance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"To hear the groaning of the prisoner;":** This clause reveals God's profound attentiveness and compassion. It's not merely that God knows about suffering, but that He actively "hears" the deepest, most involuntary cries of those who are bound and oppressed. This hearing implies a sympathetic awareness and a readiness to respond. It speaks to God's intimate involvement in the human condition, particularly with those who are marginalized and suffering, affirming that no cry of anguish goes unnoticed by Him.
* **"to loose those that are appointed to death;":** This second clause highlights God's sovereign power and His capacity for active deliverance. Following the hearing of the groans, God acts decisively. "To loose" signifies setting free, releasing from bondage, or delivering from a fatal predicament. The phrase "appointed to death" emphasizes the extremity of the situation—these are individuals facing the ultimate end. God's ability to "loose" them demonstrates His power over life and death, His capacity to reverse seemingly irreversible situations, and His ultimate victory over the forces that bring about despair and demise.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 102:20 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey its powerful message. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in "To hear the groaning," attributing human senses (hearing) to God, thereby making His compassion and attentiveness relatable and immediate. This is not to suggest God has ears, but to emphasize His active perception and responsiveness to human suffering. The phrase "those that are appointed to death" is a vivid **idiom** or **metaphor** (literally "sons of death"), powerfully conveying the extreme vulnerability and hopelessness of individuals facing imminent demise, whether from execution, disease, or overwhelming circumstances. This **figurative language** intensifies the gravity of their predicament, making God's intervention all the more remarkable. Furthermore, the verse exhibits a form of **parallelism**, where the two clauses, though distinct, reinforce a single overarching theme: God's compassionate action towards the suffering. "Hearing the groaning" leads to "loosing those appointed to death," illustrating a cause-and-effect relationship between divine perception and divine intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 102:20 profoundly articulates God's character as a compassionate Liberator, deeply attuned to the cries of the oppressed and powerful enough to intervene in the most desperate circumstances. This aligns with a consistent biblical portrayal of Yahweh as the defender of the weak, the father to the fatherless, and the one who champions justice for the downtrodden. It underscores the theological truth that God's justice is not merely punitive but redemptive, actively seeking to free those in bondage and restore life where death seems imminent. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people and indeed, to all humanity, demonstrating that even in the darkest moments of lament, hope is found in His active and merciful sovereignty.

* [Psalm 146:7](/psalms/146-7 "Psalm 146:7 - The Lord Loosens the Prisoners")
* [Isaiah 61:1](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1 - The Spirit of the Lord Proclaims Liberty")
* [Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus' Mission to Set the Captives Free")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, Psalm 102:20 offers profound comfort and a powerful call to action. It assures us that no suffering—physical, emotional, spiritual, or existential—is hidden from God's sight or beyond His compassionate reach. When we feel trapped by circumstances, overwhelmed by despair, or even facing what seems like a "death sentence" in life, this verse reminds us that our deepest groans are heard by a God who has the power to deliver. It encourages persistent, raw prayer, even in the depths of our despair, fostering a profound trust in God’s ultimate sovereignty and His ability to bring freedom and life where only death seems possible. Furthermore, it challenges us to embody this divine compassion in our own lives, urging us to be attentive to the "groaning" of those around us—the marginalized, the oppressed, the imprisoned (both literally and figuratively)—and to actively work towards justice, liberation, and comfort for those in bondage, reflecting God's heart for the vulnerable.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of God "hearing the groaning" impact your understanding of His presence in your personal suffering?**
* **In what ways might you or others you know feel "appointed to death" by circumstances, and how does this verse offer hope in those situations?**
* **How can you, as a follower of Christ, participate in God's work of "loosing those appointed to death" in your community or sphere of influence?**

### FAQ
**Does "prisoner" only refer to someone in a literal jail?**

Answer: While the term "prisoner" (Hebrew: _ʾāsîr_) certainly includes those in physical incarceration, its biblical usage, especially in poetic and prophetic texts, often extends to anyone who is bound, captive, or severely restricted. This can include those oppressed by social injustice, economic hardship, illness, addiction, spiritual bondage, or overwhelming circumstances that rob them of freedom and hope. The emphasis is on a state of helplessness and confinement from which only divine intervention can truly liberate. Therefore, the verse speaks to a broad spectrum of human suffering and captivity, not just literal imprisonment.

**What does it mean for God "to loose those that are appointed to death" in a contemporary context?**

Answer: In a contemporary context, "to loose those that are appointed to death" speaks to God's power to intervene in situations where life seems irrevocably lost or condemned. This can manifest in various ways:
* **Physical Healing:** Delivering from terminal illness or life-threatening conditions.
* **Spiritual Deliverance:** Freeing individuals from the bondage of sin, spiritual oppression, or the eternal death sentence of separation from God through the redemptive work of Christ.
* **Emotional/Psychological Restoration:** Releasing those trapped in cycles of despair, addiction, or mental anguish, bringing hope and healing.
* **Social Justice:** Intervening in systems of injustice that condemn people to poverty, marginalization, or violence, bringing about liberation and restoration of dignity.
* **Ultimate Victory Over Death:** Ultimately, this phrase points to God's power over physical death itself, as demonstrated in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of resurrection for believers. It assures us that no situation, not even death, is beyond God's power to reverse or redeem.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 102:20 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of God's compassionate hearing and powerful liberation. The prophet Isaiah foretold that the Messiah would be anointed "to proclaim liberty to the captives and opening of the prison to those who are bound" ([Isaiah 61:1](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1 - The Spirit of the Lord Proclaims Liberty")), a prophecy Jesus explicitly claimed for Himself in [Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus' Nazareth Sermon"). Jesus came to "hear the groaning" not just of physical prisoners, but of all humanity groaning under the weight of sin, sickness, and death. His ministry was characterized by healing the sick, casting out demons, and offering forgiveness, thereby "loosing" those appointed to spiritual and physical death. His ultimate act of liberation was His death on the cross, where He bore the "death sentence" of humanity, and His glorious resurrection, which utterly "loosed" the bonds of death itself, conquering its power once and for all ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Destroys the Power of Death")). Through Christ, God not only hears our groans but actively delivers us from the ultimate captivities of sin and death, offering true freedom and eternal life to all who believe ([John 8:36](/john/8-36 "John 8:36 - The Son Sets You Free")).

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 79:11

Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;

Psalms 146:7

Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:

Exodus 3:7

¶ And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which [are] in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

Isaiah 61:1

¶ The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;

Isaiah 61:3

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

2 Chronicles 33:11

¶ Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.

2 Chronicles 33:13

And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he [was] God.