12 But You, O Lord , abide forever , And Your name to all generations . 13 You will arise and have compassion on Zion ; For it is time to be gracious to her, For the appointed time has come . 14 Surely Your servants find pleasure in her stones And feel pity for her dust . 15 So the nations will fear the name of the Lord And all the kings of the earth Your glory . 16 For the Lord has built up Zion ; He has appeared in His glory . 17 He has regarded the prayer of the destitute And has not despised their prayer . 18 This will be written for the generation to come , That a people yet to be created may praise the Lord . 19 For He looked down from His holy height ; From heaven the Lord gazed upon the earth , 20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner , To set free those who were doomed to death , 21 That men may tell of the name of the Lord in Zion And His praise in Jerusalem , 22 When the peoples are gathered together , And the kingdoms , to serve the Lord .
23 He has weakened my strength in the way ; He has shortened my days . 24 I say , "O my God , do not take me away in the midst of my days , Your years are throughout all generations . 25 "Of old You founded the earth , And the heavens are the work of Your hands . 26 "Even they will perish , but You endure ; And all of them will wear out like a garment ; Like clothing You will change them and they will be changed . 27 "But You are the same , And Your years will not come to an end . 28 "The children of Your servants will continue , And their descendants will be established before You."
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.