Psalms 102:27

KJV

But thou [art] the same, and thy years shall have no end.

KJV (with Strong's)

But thou art the same, and thy years {H8141} shall have no end {H8552}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

Berean Standard Bible

But You remain the same, and Your years will never end.

American Standard Version

But thou art the same, And thy years shall have no end.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 102:27 offers a profound and enduring declaration of God's unchanging and eternal nature, serving as an unshakeable anchor of hope amidst the fleetingness of human existence and the created world. This verse stands as a cornerstone for understanding the divine attributes of immutability and eternality, providing immense comfort and stability to the afflicted soul.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 102 is a deeply personal and poignant lament, a prayer of an afflicted soul pouring out profound distress before the Lord. The psalmist vividly describes his physical and emotional suffering, feeling as though he is wasting away, his bones burning like a hearth, and his days consumed like smoke (e.g., [Psalms 102:3-11](/psalms/102-3 "Psalms 102:3-11 - The Psalmist's Deep Suffering")). His personal anguish is set against a backdrop of national distress, possibly during the Babylonian exile or another period of intense suffering for Israel. The psalm builds to a stark contrast in [Psalms 102:25-26](/psalms/102-25 "Psalms 102:25-26 - The Perishing Creation"), where the psalmist acknowledges the temporary nature of the heavens and earth, which will "perish" and "wax old as a garment." Verse 27 marks a pivotal and dramatic shift from this despairing contemplation of mortality and decay to a triumphant declaration of faith in the everlasting God. This declaration provides not only comfort and a basis for future hope for the psalmist but also for all generations who will turn to the Lord.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The lament psalms, such as [Psalm 102](/psalms/102 "Psalm 102 - A Prayer of an Afflicted Soul"), were a vital part of Israelite worship and personal devotion, providing a structured means for individuals to express their deepest sorrows and anxieties to God. The language of creation perishing and wearing out would have resonated with ancient Near Eastern cosmological views, where even the gods of other nations were often seen as subject to change or decay. In contrast, the God of Israel is presented as utterly distinct, transcending all created limitations. The psalmist's suffering, whether personal illness or the collective anguish of exile, underscores the human need for a stable, unchanging reality. In a world where empires rise and fall, and human life is brief, the concept of an eternal, immutable God offered a profound counter-narrative and a source of ultimate security.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key theological themes within the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **God's Immutability**, emphasizing that God does not change in His character, promises, or purposes. The phrase "But thou art the same" underscores His unwavering constancy, providing immense stability and assurance in a world of perpetual flux. Secondly, it declares **God's Eternality**, proclaiming that "thy years shall have no end." This signifies God's timelessness, existing without beginning or end, transcending all temporal limitations. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last. Finally, the verse establishes a profound **Contrast with Creation**, beautifully juxtaposing the finite, perishable nature of the created order—which will "perish" and "wax old" like a garment—with the infinite, imperishable nature of the Creator. While the universe may wear out, God remains steadfast, a truth powerfully affirmed in the New Testament, particularly in [Hebrews 1:10-12](/hebrews/1-10 "Hebrews 1:10-12 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer"), which quotes this very passage and applies it directly to Jesus Christ, asserting His divine pre-existence and unchanging nature.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Same (Hebrew, _hûʼ_):** This pronoun, often translated as "He" or "He Himself," is used here emphatically to underscore God's personal, consistent identity and unchanging essence. It conveys an absolute declaration of His immutability, signifying that His being, character, and attributes are eternally constant and not subject to any variation or decay, unlike the created order.
* **No end (Hebrew, _ʾên qēṣ_):** Literally meaning "no limit" or "no boundary," this phrase powerfully reinforces the boundless and eternal nature of God's existence. It speaks to His infinitude in terms of time, emphasizing that His "years"—a human concept applied analogically to God—are not merely long but are without any conceivable termination point, affirming His timeless self-existence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But thou [art] the same,"**: This opening clause marks a stark and emphatic contrast ("But thou") with the preceding verses that describe the psalmist's fleeting life and the temporary nature of creation. It is a direct address to God, declaring His essential immutability. The verb "art" is implied, emphasizing God's continuous state of being. He is not merely unchanging in His actions or promises, but in His very essence and identity. This statement provides a solid, unwavering foundation for the psalmist's hope, shifting the focus from human frailty and cosmic decay to divine constancy.
* **"and thy years shall have no end."**: This second clause expands upon the first, defining the nature of God's "sameness" in terms of time. While human beings count their years and face an inevitable end, God's "years" are boundless, without beginning or conclusion. This declares His eternality, His existence outside the confines of created time. It means God is not subject to the aging, decay, or termination that affects all created things. This timelessness ensures the reliability of His character, His covenants, and His ultimate purposes for redemption and restoration.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Contrast** is central, setting the impermanence of the psalmist's life and the created world (described in preceding verses) against the eternal and unchanging nature of God. This juxtaposition highlights God's unique transcendence and serves to magnify His attributes. The direct address to God, "But thou," is an example of **Apostrophe**, a rhetorical device where the speaker directly addresses an absent or inanimate entity, or in this case, God, thereby intensifying the personal and declarative tone of the prayer. The verse also functions as a profound **Affirmation** or **Declaration**, a strong, unqualified statement of theological truth that provides a firm anchor for faith amidst despair. The simplicity and directness of the language contribute to its profound impact, making the declaration of God's immutability and eternality both accessible and deeply resonant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 102:27 is a foundational text for understanding the perfections of God, particularly His immutability and eternality. These attributes are not merely philosophical concepts but are essential to His character and the reliability of His relationship with humanity. Because God is the same and His years have no end, His promises are sure, His love is constant, and His justice is unwavering. This truth undergirds the entire biblical narrative of redemption, assuring believers that God's plan for salvation, initiated in eternity past, will be faithfully brought to completion. His unchanging nature provides the ultimate security for our faith, ensuring that He will always be who He says He is and do what He promises to do. This verse thus serves as a powerful theological anchor, grounding all hope in the steadfastness of the Creator.

* [Malachi 3:6](/malachi/3-6 "Malachi 3:6 - God Does Not Change")
* [James 1:17](/james/1-17 "James 1:17 - God, the Father of Lights, is Unchanging")
* [Hebrews 13:8](/hebrews/13-8 "Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound truth declared in Psalms 102:27 offers immense comfort and a solid foundation for faith in every generation. In a world characterized by constant change, uncertainty, and the undeniable reality of decay and death, knowing that God is eternally the same provides a secure and unyielding anchor for our souls. We can fully trust His promises because His character is immutable; He cannot deny Himself, nor can His purposes be thwarted by the passage of time or the shifting sands of human history. Even when our personal circumstances feel overwhelming, our physical bodies weaken, and our lives seem fleeting, the permanence of God ensures that His overarching plans for redemption, restoration, and ultimate victory will endure. Our hope is not placed in transient things or temporary solutions, but in the everlasting God who was, and is, and is to come. This truth invites us to approach Him with unwavering confidence, knowing that His love, mercy, and justice are as constant and reliable today as they have been throughout all eternity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the immutability of God provide comfort and stability in your personal life amidst times of change, uncertainty, or loss?**
* **In what ways does understanding God's eternality impact your perspective on suffering, the passage of time, and your ultimate hope for the future?**
* **Considering the contrast between the perishing creation and God's permanence, how does this truth shape your worship, your priorities, and your trust in His ultimate plan?**

### FAQ
**How does this verse relate to the idea of God changing His mind in other parts of the Bible?**

Answer: The biblical concept of God "changing His mind" (e.g., [Genesis 6:6](/genesis/6-6 "Genesis 6:6 - God Regrets Making Man"), [Exodus 32:14](/exodus/32-14 "Exodus 32:14 - God Relents from Disaster")) is often an anthropomorphism, a way of describing God's interaction with humanity in terms that we can understand. It typically refers to God's response to human repentance or a change in His declared course of action based on a prior condition, rather than a fundamental alteration of His character, nature, or eternal purposes. Psalms 102:27, along with other verses like [Malachi 3:6](/malachi/3-6 "Malachi 3:6 - God Does Not Change") ("For I am the Lord, I change not"), affirms God's essential immutability. His character, His truth, His holiness, and His love are constant. What might appear as a "change of mind" is God's consistent application of His unchanging principles in response to changing human circumstances or actions, demonstrating His faithfulness to His own nature and covenant promises.

**Is this verse only about God the Father, or does it apply to the entire Trinity?**

Answer: While Psalms 102:27 speaks of God generally, the New Testament, particularly [Hebrews 1:10-12](/hebrews/1-10 "Hebrews 1:10-12 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer"), explicitly applies this very passage to Jesus Christ. This application is a powerful theological statement, affirming the divine nature and eternality of the Son. Therefore, the truth that God is "the same" and His "years shall have no end" applies to the entire Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—as they share the same divine essence and attributes. The immutability and eternality are intrinsic qualities of the one true God, revealed as a Triune being.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 102:27 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. The New Testament author of Hebrews directly quotes this very passage and applies it to the Son, declaring, "You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of Your hands; they will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not fail" ([Hebrews 1:10-12](/hebrews/1-10 "Hebrews 1:10-12 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer")). This application is crucial, asserting Christ's pre-existence, His role as Creator, and His eternal, unchanging nature. Jesus is not merely a historical figure but the eternal Word who was with God and was God from the very beginning ([John 1:1-3](/john/1-1 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God")). He is the one who declares, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," and "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" ([Revelation 1:8](/revelation/1-8 "Revelation 1:8 - Jesus, the Alpha and Omega"); [Hebrews 13:8](/hebrews/13-8 "Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever")). Therefore, the hope and stability offered by Psalms 102:27 are not abstract but are concretely embodied in the person of Christ, whose unchanging character and eternal reign guarantee the certainty of our salvation, the reliability of His promises, and the ultimate triumph of His kingdom over all that is fleeting and perishable.

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

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Malachi 3:6

For I [am] the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

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 90:4

For a thousand years in thy sight [are but] as yesterday when it is past, and [as] a watch in the night.

Job 36:26

Behold, God [is] great, and we know [him] not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.

Revelation 1:17

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: