102:1(A Prayer a of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed,
and poureth out his complaint before the LORD.) Hear my
prayer, O LORD, and let my b cry come unto thee.
(a) By which is signified, that even though we are in
great misery, yet there is always room for prayer.
(b) He declares that in our prayer we must lively feel
that which we desire, and steadfastly believe to
obtain.
102:3 For my days are c consumed like smoke, and my bones are
burned as an hearth.
(c) These excessive kinds of speech show how much the
affliction of the Church should wound the hearts of
the godly.
102:4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I
forget d to eat my bread.
(d) My sorrows were so great that I did not eat.
102:6 I am like a e pelican of the wilderness: I am like an
owl of the desert.
(e) Always mourning in solitude and casting out fearful
cries.
102:8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; [and] they that are
mad against me are f sworn against me.
(f) Have conspired my death.
102:9 For I have g eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my
drink with weeping,
(g) I have not risen out of my mourning to take my
refreshment.
102:10 Because of thine h indignation and thy wrath: for thou
hast lifted me up, and cast me down.
(h) He shows that not only the afflictions moved him, but
chiefly the feeling of God's displeasure.
102:12 But thou, O LORD, shalt i endure for ever; and thy
remembrance unto all generations.
(i) Though we are frail, yet your promise is sure, and
the remembrance of it will confirm us forever.
102:13 Thou shalt arise, [and] have mercy upon Zion: for the
time to favour her, yea, the k set time, is come.
(k) That is, the seventy years which by the prophet
Jeremiah you appointed, (Jer 29:12).
102:14 For thy servants take pleasure in her l stones, and
favour the dust thereof.
(l) The more the Church is in misery and desolation, the
more the faithful should love and pity it.
102:16 When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear m in
his glory.
(m) That is, when he will have drawn his church out of
the darkness of death.
102:18 This shall be written for the generation to come: and the
people which shall be n created shall praise the LORD.
(n) The deliverance of the Church is an excellent
benefit, and therefore he compares it to a new
creation for in their banishment the body of the
Church seemed to have been dead, which by deliverance
was as it were created anew.
102:20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that
are o appointed to death;
(o) Who now in their banishment could look for nothing
but death.
102:22 When the people are gathered p together, and the
kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
(p) He shows that Gad's name is never more praised, than
when religion flourishes and the church increases:
which is chiefly accomplished under the kingdom of
Christ.
102:23 He q weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my
days.
(q) The church lament that they see not the time of
Christ, which was promised, but have but few years
and short days.
102:26r They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of
them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt
thou change them, and they shall be changed:
(r) If heaven and earth perish, much more man will
perish: but the Church by reason of God's promise
endures forever.
102:28 The children of thy servants shall continue, and their
seed shall s be established before thee.
(s) Seeing you have chosen your Church out of the world,
and joined it to you, it cannot but continue forever:
for you are everlasting.
