9 For I eat ashes as my food and mingle my drink with tears
9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,
9 For I eat ashes like bread and mingle tears with my drink,
9 They bring in meals - casseroles of ashes! I draw drink from a barrel of my tears.
9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, And mingled my drink with weeping,
9 I eat ashes for food. My tears run down into my drink
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 102:9
Commentary on Psalm 102:1-11
(Read Psalm 102:1-11)
The whole word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; but here, is often elsewhere, the Holy Ghost has put words into our mouths. Here is a prayer put into the hands of the afflicted; let them present it to God. Even good men may be almost overwhelmed with afflictions. It is our duty and interest to pray; and it is comfort to an afflicted spirit to unburden itself, by a humble representation of its griefs. We must say, Blessed be the name of the Lord, who both gives and takes away. The psalmist looked upon himself as a dying man; My days are like a shadow.