Psalms 102:24

KJV

I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years [are] throughout all generations.

KJV (with Strong's)

I said {H559}, O my God {H410}, take me not away {H5927} in the midst {H2677} of my days {H3117}: thy years {H8141} are throughout all {H1755} generations {H1755}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I plead, "God, your years last through all generations; so don't take me away when my life is half over!

Berean Standard Bible

I say: “O my God, do not take me in the midst of my days! Your years go on through all generations.

American Standard Version

I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: Thy years are throughout all generations.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 102:24 is a poignant lament from an afflicted soul, expressing a desperate plea to God for preservation from an untimely death, even as the psalmist acknowledges the profound contrast between their own fleeting existence and God's eternal, unchanging nature. This verse serves as a pivot in the psalm, moving from deep personal suffering to a foundational declaration of divine timelessness, offering an anchor of hope amidst human transience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 102 is a deeply personal lament, though often categorized as a communal prayer, titled "A Prayer of the Afflicted when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before the Lord." It is situated within Book IV of the Psalms (Psalms 90-106), a section that frequently explores themes of God's eternal sovereignty and covenant faithfulness in juxtaposition with human frailty and suffering. The verses immediately preceding vividly portray the psalmist's profound physical and emotional distress, describing a life wasting away like smoke and bones burning like a hearth ([Psalms 102:3-11](/psalms/102-3-11 "Psalm 102:3-11 - The Psalmist's Deep Anguish")). The plea in verse 24 acts as a crucial turning point, shifting the focus from the depths of personal anguish to a broader theological reflection on God's enduring nature, which then naturally leads to a hopeful anticipation of God's future restoration of Zion ([Psalms 102:12-22](/psalms/102-12-22 "Psalm 102:12-22 - God's Enduring Reign and Zion's Restoration")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalmist's lament reflects a common ancient Near Eastern perspective on life and death. In these cultures, a long life was generally perceived as a divine blessing, while premature death was often seen as a tragedy, a sign of divine displeasure, or a cutting short of one's potential and legacy. The phrase "in the midst of my days" powerfully conveys a sense of an unfulfilled life, a life interrupted before its natural span. In a pre-scientific society, illness and severe suffering were frequently attributed directly to divine intervention, prompting fervent prayers for healing and preservation. The psalmist's plea is not merely for an extension of physical life, but for the opportunity to fulfill their God-given purpose. The subsequent declaration of God's eternal years would have served as a profound source of comfort, reminding the suffering individual that while human life is fleeting, the divine King remains forever, ensuring ultimate justice and the fulfillment of His promises.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several core themes prevalent in Psalm 102 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it highlights **human frailty and mortality**, a pervasive theme throughout the Psalms, consistently contrasted with God's enduring nature, as powerfully articulated in [Psalm 90:10](/psalms/90-10 "Psalm 90:10 - The Brevity of Human Life"). Secondly, it demonstrates the **boldness and honesty of lament**, encouraging believers to present their deepest fears, anxieties, and vulnerabilities directly to God without pretense. Thirdly, and most significantly, it proclaims the **eternity and immutability of God**. This profound truth, that God's "years are throughout all generations," provides an unshakeable anchor amidst the shifting sands of human existence and suffering. It is a foundational theological concept, echoed in passages like [Malachi 3:6](/malachi/3-6 "Malachi 3:6 - God's Unchanging Nature") and [Isaiah 40:8](/isaiah/40-8 "Isaiah 40:8 - The Enduring Word of God"), emphasizing God's unwavering faithfulness and His capacity to fulfill His promises across all time.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** This word (H559) is a primitive root meaning "to say," but used with great latitude. In this context, "I said" indicates a direct, personal address or utterance, conveying the psalmist's heartfelt and intimate prayer to God. It signifies a declaration of personal anguish and a direct appeal, reflecting a relationship where such raw honesty is permissible and expected.
* **take me not away (Hebrew, _ʻâlâh'_):** From the root H5927, meaning "to ascend," "to go up," or "to be taken away." Here, combined with the negative particle "al" (not), it forms a fervent plea: "Do not cause me to ascend" or "Do not take me up/away." In this context, it carries the strong connotation of being taken away prematurely by death, expressing the psalmist's deep-seated fear of an untimely end before their life's natural completion or before God's purposes for them are fully realized.
* **midst of my days (Hebrew, _chêtsîy yôwm'_):** This phrase combines H2677 (_chêtsîy_), meaning "the half or middle," and H3117 (_yôwm_), meaning "a day" or "a space of time." Literally "in the half of my days," it powerfully conveys the psalmist's perception of their life being tragically truncated. It is not just a general fear of death, but a specific anguish over a life that feels incomplete, as if they are being deprived of their full allotted time, highlighting the intensity of their suffering which has made them feel as though their life force is rapidly diminishing.
* **generations (Hebrew, _dôwr'_):** This word (H1755), often appearing as "dor va-dor" (generation and generation) in Hebrew idiom, signifies "a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation." Its repetition emphasizes an unending succession of time. In this context, "throughout all generations" is a powerful declaration of God's eternal, unending existence. It signifies that God's years are not merely long, but span every conceivable epoch, from eternity past to eternity future, encompassing all human generations, underscoring God's timelessness, immutability, and sovereignty over all of history.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days:"** This opening clause reveals the psalmist's direct, personal address to God, indicating a relationship of intimate lament and trust. The plea "take me not away" is a desperate cry for preservation from premature death, born out of profound suffering and a sense of life being cut short. The phrase "in the midst of my days" emphasizes the feeling of an unfulfilled life, a life interrupted before its natural course. It is a raw and honest expression of human vulnerability and the natural desire for life and purpose, highlighting the psalmist's anguish over their perceived dwindling time.
* **"thy years [are] throughout all generations."** This second clause offers a dramatic theological pivot and a profound declaration of faith. In stark contrast to the psalmist's fleeting existence and fear of premature death, this statement asserts God's absolute eternity and immutability. God's "years" are not numbered or limited by time; they extend infinitely, spanning "throughout all generations," from everlasting to everlasting. This truth serves as the ultimate anchor for the psalmist's hope, implying that even if their own life is cut short, God's purposes and faithfulness endure forever, transcending individual mortality and providing an unshakeable foundation for trust.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 102:24 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Juxtaposition**, where the psalmist's acute awareness of human mortality ("take me not away in the midst of my days") is set in stark contrast to the absolute and unending eternity of God ("thy years [are] throughout all generations"). This contrast profoundly amplifies both the poignancy of human fragility and the magnificent transcendence of the divine. The direct address, "O my God," is an example of **Apostrophe**, a figure of speech where the speaker addresses an absent person or an abstract idea. Here, it conveys the psalmist's intimate and desperate appeal to a personal God. The lament itself is a form of **Supplication**, a humble and earnest prayer, reflecting the psalmist's deep distress and reliance on divine intervention. The phrase "in the midst of my days" can also be seen as a form of **Merism**, where two contrasting parts represent a whole (here, the "midst" implies the whole span of life, and the fear is of not reaching its natural end), or even a subtle **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the feeling of a life cut short to emphasize the intensity of the suffering and the perceived injustice of an untimely end.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 102:24 profoundly connects the brevity of human life with the enduring nature of God, a central theme throughout biblical theology. It underscores the theological truth of God's immutability and eternal sovereignty, providing a stable foundation for faith amidst the transient realities of human existence. The psalmist's plea, though deeply personal, invites all believers to anchor their hopes not in the fleeting nature of their own lives, but in the unchanging character of the Almighty. This divine constancy ensures that God's covenant promises, His redemptive plan, and His ultimate victory over sin and death will surely come to pass, regardless of individual lifespans. It is a powerful reminder that while our days are numbered, God's purposes are eternal and His faithfulness spans all generations.

* [Deuteronomy 33:27](/deuteronomy/33-27 "The Eternal God is Your Refuge")
* [Psalms 90:2](/psalms/90-2 "God's Eternity Before Creation")
* [Isaiah 40:8](/isaiah/40-8 "The Word of God Endures Forever")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 102:24 offers a profound model for navigating moments of deep personal anguish and fear. It reminds us that our faith journey is not one of perpetual strength, but often one of honest lament and vulnerability before God. When faced with our own mortality, the fear of unfulfilled potential, or the crushing weight of suffering that seems to prematurely age us, this verse invites us to pour out our hearts to the God who sees, hears, and understands. The psalmist's pivot from personal despair to a declaration of God's eternal nature teaches us to reframe our struggles within the larger context of God's unwavering sovereignty. Our lives may be fleeting, our days numbered, but God's years are "throughout all generations." This truth provides an unshakeable anchor, reminding us that our ultimate hope is not in the extension of our earthly days, but in the eternal God who holds all time in His hands and whose purposes will ultimately prevail. This perspective cultivates trust, resilience, and a deeper appreciation for the preciousness of each moment, lived in light of His everlasting presence and enduring faithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the psalmist's raw honesty in prayer encourage you to bring your own fears and anxieties before God?**
* **In what ways does the truth of God's eternal nature provide comfort or perspective when you contemplate your own mortality or the brevity of life?**
* **How might acknowledging God's enduring sovereignty change your approach to suffering or perceived limitations in your life?**

### FAQ
**Why does the psalmist fear being "taken away in the midst of my days"?**

Answer: The psalmist's fear stems from a combination of intense physical and emotional suffering, which has led to a profound sense of their life force diminishing rapidly. In ancient cultures, a long life was often seen as a blessing, while premature death could be viewed as a tragedy, a sign of divine displeasure, or a failure to complete one's purpose. The phrase "in the midst of my days" emphasizes a feeling of being cut short, of not having lived a full life or completed what they believed God intended for them. It's a deeply human cry against the perceived injustice of an untimely end, especially when burdened by affliction and the feeling that their potential or purpose might remain unfulfilled.

**How does God's eternal nature offer comfort to someone facing mortality?**

Answer: God's eternal nature, as declared in the second part of the verse ("thy years [are] throughout all generations"), offers profound comfort by providing an unshakeable anchor in a world of transience. While human life is fleeting and fragile, God is constant, unchanging, and sovereign over all time. This means His promises are eternal, His purposes will never be thwarted, and His faithfulness endures beyond any individual's lifespan. For the believer, this truth transforms the fear of death into a hope rooted in God's everlasting covenant. It assures us that even if our earthly days are cut short, our ultimate destiny is secure in the hands of an eternal God who has conquered death itself through Christ, as promised in [John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 102:24, with its poignant contrast between human mortality and divine eternity, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The psalmist's plea, "take me not away in the midst of my days," resonates with the universal human experience of finitude, yet Christ, the [eternal Son of God](/john/1-1 "The Word Was God"), willingly embraced mortality. He was indeed "taken away in the midst of His days," crucified at the young age of approximately 33, seemingly cutting short a life of profound purpose. However, His death was not a defeat but the very means by which God's eternal plan of salvation was accomplished. The psalmist's declaration, "thy years [are] throughout all generations," points directly to the nature of Christ, who is the [Alpha and the Omega](/revelation/1-8 "Jesus, the Alpha and Omega"), the beginning and the end, whose [kingdom is an everlasting kingdom](/daniel/7-14 "The Everlasting Dominion of the Son of Man") that will never pass away. Through His resurrection, Jesus conquered the very power of death that the psalmist feared, transforming the human lament over a cut-short life into a triumphant hope of eternal life for all who believe in Him ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "Victory Over Death Through Christ")). In Christ, our transient lives are united with His eternal life, ensuring that even if our earthly days are few, our ultimate future is secure in the one whose "years are throughout all generations" and who promises that [whoever lives and believes in Him will never die](/john/11-26 "Believers Will Never Die").

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 39:13

O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.

Habakkuk 1:12

¶ [Art] thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction.

Psalms 102:12

¶ But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.

Isaiah 38:10

I said in the cutting off of my days, I shall go to the gates of the grave: I am deprived of the residue of my years.

Isaiah 38:22

Hezekiah also had said, What [is] the sign that I shall go up to the house of the LORD?

Revelation 1:8

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Psalms 9:7

But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.