Psalms 102:24

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Psalms 102:24 captures a poignant moment of human vulnerability juxtaposed with the profound truth of God's eternal nature. This verse is part of a larger psalm, often titled "A Prayer of the Afflicted," where the psalmist pours out deep distress and suffering before the Lord.

Context

Psalm 102 is a lament, a heartfelt cry from someone experiencing severe affliction, feeling as though their life is rapidly fading. The psalmist describes physical weakness, isolation, and a sense of being consumed by sorrow (Psalms 102:3-11). In this verse, the plea, "take me not away in the midst of my days," reflects a profound fear of premature death and a longing for more time, even as their body and spirit waste away. This personal anguish sets the stage for a powerful declaration about God's enduring character.

Key Themes

  • A Plea for Preservation: The psalmist's raw and honest prayer highlights the human desire for life and the fear of its premature end. It's a cry for divine intervention against the encroaching shadows of mortality.
  • God's Eternal Nature: In stark contrast to the psalmist's fleeting existence, the second part of the verse proclaims God's unending nature: "thy years [are] throughout all generations." This emphasizes God's timelessness and immutability, providing a stable foundation amidst life's uncertainties. This truth about God's everlasting nature is a cornerstone of biblical theology, echoed in passages like Psalms 90:2 and Malachi 3:6.
  • Hope Amidst Despair: Despite the overwhelming distress, the psalmist's turn to God's eternity subtly introduces an element of hope. If God is eternal, then He is capable of sustaining and restoring, even when human life feels fragile.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "take me not away" (Hebrew: al ta'aleni) conveys a sense of being carried off or removed, often implying death. "In the midst of my days" (Hebrew: bachatzi yamai) literally means "in half of my days," underscoring the feeling of a life cut short before its natural completion. The powerful declaration "thy years [are] throughout all generations" uses the Hebrew dor va-dor, meaning "generation and generation," emphatically stating God's eternal, unending existence, spanning all time and beyond.

Practical Application

Psalms 102:24 offers comfort and a model for prayer in times of deep suffering and fear. It reminds us that:

  • Honest Prayer is Valued: We are encouraged to bring our fears, anxieties, and even our pleas for extended life directly to God, just as the psalmist did.
  • God's Eternity is Our Anchor: When faced with our own mortality or the brevity of life, remembering God's unending existence provides a powerful anchor. Our lives may be fleeting, but His plans and promises endure forever. This perspective can bring peace and trust, even in the face of death, as seen in the hope of resurrection in Christ.
  • Perspective on Suffering: While the psalmist laments, the acknowledgment of God's eternal reign elevates the perspective beyond immediate pain, pointing to a sovereign God who remains constant through all generations.
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Cross-References

  • Psalms 39:13 (5 votes)

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

  • Habakkuk 1:12 (4 votes)

    ¶ [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 (4 votes)

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

  • Isaiah 38:10 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

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

  • Revelation 1:8 (3 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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