12 But thou, Jehovah, abidest for ever, and thy memorial from generation to generation. 13 Thou wilt rise up, thou wilt have mercy upon Zion: for it is the time to be gracious to her, for the set time is come. 14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour her dust. 15 And the nations shall fear the name of Jehovah, and all the kings of the earth thy glory. 16 When Jehovah shall build up Zion, he will appear in his glory. 17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute one, and not despise their prayer. 18 This shall be written for the generation to come; and a people that shall be created shall praise Jah: 19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from the heavens hath Jehovah beheld the earth, 20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner, to loose those that are appointed to die; 21 That the name of Jehovah may be declared in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem, 22 When the peoples shall be gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve Jehovah.
23 He weakened my strength in the way, he shortened my days. 24 I said, My God, take me not away in the midst of my days! ... Thy years are from generation to generation. 25 Of old hast thou founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands: 26 They shall perish, but thou continuest; and all of them shall grow old as a garment: as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed. 27 But thou art the Same, and thy years shall have no end. 28 The children of thy servants shall abide, and their seed shall be established before thee.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 102:12-28
Commentary on Psalm 102:12-22
(Read Psalm 102:12-22)
We are dying creatures, but God is an everlasting God, the protector of his church; we may be confident that it will not be neglected. When we consider our own vileness, our darkness and deadness, and the manifold defects in our prayers, we have cause to fear that they will not be received in heaven; but we are here assured of the contrary, for we have an Advocate with the Father, and are under grace, not under the law. Redemption is the subject of praise in the Christian church; and that great work is described by the temporal deliverance and restoration of Israel. Look down upon us, Lord Jesus; and bring us into the glorious liberty of thy children, that we may bless and praise thy name.
Commentary on Psalm 102:23-28
(Read Psalm 102:23-28)
Bodily distempers soon weaken our strength, then what can we expect but that our months should be cut off in the midst; and what should we do but provide accordingly? We must own God's hand in it; and must reconcile this to his love, for often those that have used their strength well, have it weakened; and those who, as we think, can very ill be spared, have their days shortened. It is very comfortable, in reference to all the changes and dangers of the church, to remember that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. And in reference to the death of our bodies, and the removal of friends, to remember that God is an everlasting God. Do not let us overlook the assurance this psalm contains of a happy end to all the believer's trials. Though all things are changing, dying, perishing, like a vesture folding up and hastening to decay, yet Jesus lives, and thus all is secure, for he hath said, Because I live ye shall live also.