Psalms 102:6

KJV

I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.

KJV (with Strong's)

I am like {H1819} a pelican {H6893} of the wilderness {H4057}: I am like an owl {H3563} of the desert {H2723}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I am like a great owl in the desert, I've become like an owl in the ruins.

Berean Standard Bible

I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins.

American Standard Version

I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am become as an owl of the waste places.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 102:6 profoundly expresses the psalmist's overwhelming sense of isolation and desolation, portraying a soul in the depths of despair. Through vivid animal imagery, the speaker likens himself to solitary birds of barren landscapes—a pelican of the wilderness and an owl of the desert—thereby communicating a feeling of utter abandonment, spiritual parchedness, and a mournful existence far removed from comfort or companionship. This verse serves as a raw and honest articulation of extreme human suffering and loneliness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 102 is explicitly titled "A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD." It is a classic individual lament, characterized by intense suffering, a plea for God's attention, a detailed description of distress, and an eventual turn towards hope in God's enduring nature. The preceding verses [Psalms 102:1-5](/psalms/102-1-5 "Psalm 102:1-5 - The Psalmist's Physical and Emotional Decay") graphically detail the psalmist's physical and emotional decay: his bones burning like a hearth, his heart withered like grass, his appetite lost, and his groaning reducing him to skin and bones. Verse 6 marks a shift from internal physical symptoms to external, symbolic comparisons, using animal imagery to further emphasize his profound isolation and despair. This psalm is also traditionally recognized as one of the seven [Penitential Psalms](/psalms/6 "The Penitential Psalms"), highlighting themes of sin, repentance, and deep sorrow before God, though the immediate context of verse 6 focuses more on suffering than specific sin.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalmist's affliction could stem from various sources common in the ancient Near East: severe illness, social ostracism, or national calamity (some scholars suggest a post-exilic setting due to references to Zion's desolation in [Psalms 102:13-17](/psalms/102-13-17 "Psalm 102:13-17 - God's Compassion for Zion")). The "wilderness" (מִדְבָּר, _midbâr'_) and "desert" (חָרְבָּה, _chorbâh'_) were not merely geographical locations but potent symbols of desolation, danger, and separation from community and life-giving water. These were places where one was exposed and vulnerable. Furthermore, the pelican and owl were often associated with ruins, desolation, and mourning in ancient Near Eastern literature and were explicitly listed as [unclean birds in the Mosaic Law](/leviticus/11-17 "Leviticus 11:17 - Unclean Birds") (cf. [Leviticus 11:18](/leviticus/11-18 "Leviticus 11:18 - Unclean Birds") and [Deuteronomy 14:17](/deuteronomy/14-17 "Deuteronomy 14:17 - Unclean Birds")). By comparing himself to such creatures, the psalmist not only conveys physical isolation but also a potential sense of ritual impurity or being an outcast.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Psalm 102 and the broader Psalter. Foremost is the theme of **Profound Isolation and Loneliness**, where the psalmist feels utterly cut off from God and humanity, mirroring the solitary nature of the chosen birds. This leads to **Desolation and Despair**, as the "wilderness" and "desert" settings amplify a sense of barrenness, hopelessness, and spiritual dryness. There is also a strong theme of **Identification with the Forsaken**, where the psalmist aligns himself with creatures considered mournful, haunting, and even ritually unclean, reflecting a deep personal sense of being abandoned or defiled. This raw honesty in expressing the depths of human suffering is a hallmark of biblical lament, providing a model for bringing one's most agonizing feelings before God, as seen throughout the book of Psalms, particularly in cries like [Psalm 22:1](/psalms/22-1 "Psalm 22:1 - A Cry of Dereliction").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pelican (Hebrew, _qâʼath'_):** This Hebrew term, H6893, refers to a large water bird, likely the pelican, perhaps named from its characteristic "vomiting" or disgorging of fish from its pouch. In ancient thought, its characteristic posture, with its large pouch, could appear hunched or mournful. More significantly, the pelican was listed among the unclean birds in the Mosaic dietary laws ([Leviticus 11:18](/leviticus/11-18 "Leviticus 11:18 - Unclean Birds"); [Deuteronomy 14:17](/deuteronomy/14-17 "Deuteronomy 14:17 - Unclean Birds")), which adds a layer of meaning to the psalmist's self-comparison. It suggests not only physical isolation but also a feeling of being ritually defiled, an outcast, or one associated with places of ruin and decay.
* **Owl (Hebrew, _kôwç'_):** This term, H3563, refers to a type of bird, probably an owl, possibly named for the "cup-like cavity of its eye." It is a nocturnal bird known for its mournful, hooting cries. Owls are frequently associated with ruins, desolate places, and the darkness of night in biblical literature (e.g., [Isaiah 34:11](/isaiah/34-11 "Isaiah 34:11 - Desolation of Edom"); [Zephaniah 2:14](/zephaniah/2-14 "Zephaniah 2:14 - Desolation of Nineveh")). Like the pelican, the owl was also considered an unclean bird. The imagery of an owl of the desert powerfully conveys a sense of hidden, nocturnal solitude, profound sorrow, and a connection to places of decay and death, mirroring the psalmist's internal state.
* **Wilderness (Hebrew, _midbâr'_):** / **Desert (Hebrew, _chorbâh'_):** These terms denote barren, uninhabited, and often hostile environments. The "wilderness" (Hebrew, _midbâr'_, H4057) refers to a pasture or open field where cattle are driven, but by implication, a desert—a place of parched land, scarcity, and danger, often associated with wandering and testing. The "desert" (Hebrew, _chorbâh'_, H2723), properly referring to "drought" and by implication a "desolation," "decayed place," or "waste place," emphasizes utter barrenness, decay, and the absence of life. Together, they create a powerful backdrop for the psalmist's internal desolation, highlighting his feeling of being in a spiritually and emotionally parched land, far from comfort, community, or God's presence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I am like a pelican of the wilderness:"** The psalmist initiates a simile, comparing his state to that of a pelican. This comparison immediately evokes an image of extreme solitude and desolation. The pelican, a bird that frequents remote, often abandoned or ruined watery areas, symbolizes the psalmist's feeling of being utterly alone and isolated from human society, perhaps even from God's active presence. The "wilderness" reinforces this sense of barrenness, danger, and separation from life-giving community and resources.
* **"I am like an owl of the desert."** This second clause functions as a synonymous parallelism, reiterating and intensifying the theme of the first. By comparing himself to an owl, particularly one of the "desert" (or "ruins"), the psalmist emphasizes his nocturnal sorrow, his mournful cries, and his association with places of decay and utter abandonment. The owl's solitary, nocturnal habits underscore a hidden, profound despair, suggesting that his suffering is not only isolating but also perhaps unseen or unacknowledged by others, lingering in the darkness of his soul.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 102:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the psalmist's profound distress. The most prominent is **Simile**, explicitly indicated by the word "like" (כְּ, _kə_), drawing direct comparisons between the psalmist's state and specific birds. This allows for a vivid and immediate understanding of his internal condition. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second clause ("I am like an owl of the desert") essentially repeats and reinforces the meaning of the first ("I am like a pelican of the wilderness") using different but related imagery. This repetition emphasizes the depth and pervasive nature of his isolation. Furthermore, rich **Imagery** is employed, painting a sensory picture of barren landscapes and solitary, mournful birds, allowing the reader to viscerally grasp the psalmist's emotional and spiritual desolation. The choice of birds and their habitats contributes to a sense of **Symbolism**, where the pelican and owl represent not just physical isolation but also mourning, uncleanness, and association with ruin. Finally, the extreme nature of the comparison can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, an exaggeration of his distress to underscore the overwhelming and absolute nature of his loneliness and despair.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 102:6 offers a profound theological insight into the human experience of suffering and God's relationship with the afflicted. It validates the raw, unvarnished expression of despair before God, demonstrating that even the most extreme feelings of isolation and desolation are permissible and can be articulated within the framework of faith. The psalmist's lament, far from being a sign of weak faith, is an act of profound trust—trust that God hears, even when one feels utterly abandoned. This verse connects to the broader biblical theme of God's attentiveness to the cry of the oppressed and the brokenhearted, reminding us that no depth of human suffering is outside the scope of divine compassion. It underscores the vulnerability of the human condition and the reality that spiritual journeys often include seasons of profound "wilderness" experiences, where one feels parched and alone. Yet, the very act of lamenting to God, even in such despair, is an act of faith, acknowledging His ultimate sovereignty and ability to deliver, as the psalm eventually turns to hope in God's enduring nature.

* [Psalm 22:1](/psalms/22-1 "Psalm 22:1 - A Cry of Dereliction")
* [Lamentations 3:1-20](/lamentations/3-1-20 "Lamentations 3:1-20 - Jeremiah's Extended Lament")
* [Psalm 38:1-22](/psalms/38-1-22 "Psalm 38:1-22 - A Psalm of David's Suffering")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 102:6 serves as a powerful validation for anyone experiencing profound loneliness, depression, or a sense of abandonment. In a world that often pressures us to present a facade of strength and well-being, the psalmist's raw honesty in comparing himself to solitary, mournful, and even "unclean" creatures in desolate places grants permission to acknowledge and articulate our deepest sorrows. It reminds us that our feelings of desolation are understood and can be brought before the Lord, who hears the cry of the afflicted. This verse encourages us to pour out our hearts to God, even when we feel like an outcast in a barren land, trusting that He is present even when we feel profoundly alone. It's a call to authentic lament, recognizing that true spiritual health includes acknowledging the reality of suffering and bringing our brokenness directly to the One who promises never to leave or forsake us, even when our emotions tell us otherwise.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you identify with the psalmist's feelings of isolation and desolation in your own life or in the lives of those you know?**
* **In what "wilderness" or "desert" seasons of life have you felt most alone, and how did you cope with those feelings?**
* **How does the psalmist's raw honesty in articulating his despair encourage you to bring your true feelings, even the most painful ones, before God?**
* **What comfort can you find in knowing that the biblical narrative includes such profound expressions of human suffering and loneliness?**

### FAQ
**Why does the psalmist choose these specific birds (pelican and owl) to describe his condition?**

Answer: The psalmist deliberately chooses the pelican and the owl because of their specific characteristics and cultural associations, which powerfully amplify his feelings of isolation, desolation, and despair. Both birds are known for their solitary nature, often inhabiting desolate, ruined, or uninhabited places ("wilderness" and "desert"). The pelican, with its hunched posture, can appear mournful, while the owl is nocturnal and known for its mournful cries, further emphasizing the psalmist's hidden, pervasive sorrow. Additionally, both birds were considered "unclean" under Mosaic Law (cf. [Leviticus 11:18](/leviticus/11-18 "Leviticus 11:18 - Unclean Birds")), which could add a layer of meaning, suggesting the psalmist feels not only physically isolated but also spiritually defiled or cast out from the community and perhaps even from God's favor. This imagery vividly conveys a state of utter abandonment and profound suffering.

**Is it acceptable for a believer to feel such deep despair and isolation as expressed in this verse?**

Answer: Absolutely. The Bible, particularly the book of Psalms, is replete with expressions of profound human emotion, including despair, sorrow, and a sense of abandonment. Psalms 102:6 is a testament to the validity of such feelings within the context of faith. The psalmist, a person of faith, pours out his complaint before the Lord, demonstrating that it is not only acceptable but often necessary to honestly express our deepest struggles to God. This verse, and indeed the entire Psalm, serves as a model for lament—a form of prayer that acknowledges suffering, questions God, and yet ultimately trusts in His character and enduring presence. It reminds us that God is big enough to handle our rawest emotions and that bringing our authentic selves, even our brokenness, before Him is an act of faith and vulnerability. The Christian tradition embraces this full spectrum of human experience, knowing that even Jesus cried out in anguish on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry on the Cross")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The psalmist's profound lament in Psalms 102:6, expressing utter isolation and desolation, finds its ultimate and most poignant fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. While the psalmist felt like a pelican of the wilderness and an owl of the desert, Jesus truly became the ultimate outcast, identifying with humanity's deepest suffering and alienation. He experienced profound loneliness in the wilderness during His temptation ([Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1-11 "Matthew 4:1-11 - Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness")), was abandoned by His disciples in Gethsemane ([Matthew 26:56](/matthew/26-56 "Matthew 26:56 - Disciples Abandon Jesus")), and ultimately cried out from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Mark 15:34](/mark/15-34 "Mark 15:34 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction on the Cross")). In that moment, Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, truly became like an unclean thing, bearing the sin and desolation of humanity ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), so that we might never be truly forsaken. His identification with the "pelican of the wilderness" and "owl of the desert" is not merely symbolic but a redemptive reality. Through His suffering, Christ entered into the very depths of human despair and isolation, offering a sympathetic High Priest who can truly empathize with our weaknesses ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")). Thus, the lament of Psalms 102:6 points forward to the one who was utterly alone so that all who believe in Him might know the promise: "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you" ([John 14:18](/john/14-18 "John 14:18 - Jesus Promises Not to Leave Us as Orphans")).

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

Isaiah 38:14

Like a crane [or] a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail [with looking] upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me.

Zephaniah 2:14

And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; [their] voice shall sing in the windows; desolation [shall be] in the thresholds: for he shall uncover the cedar work.

Revelation 18:2

And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

Isaiah 34:11

But the cormorant and the bittern shall possess it; the owl also and the raven shall dwell in it: and he shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness.

Isaiah 34:15

There shall the great owl make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather under her shadow: there shall the vultures also be gathered, every one with her mate.

Job 30:29

I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls.

Job 30:30

My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat.