Read the Bible — American Standard Version · Psalms

Psalms 102

1 A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before Jehovah. Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, And let my cry come unto thee.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • A Prayer H8605 (תְּפִלָּה) — intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn
  • of the afflicted H6041 (עָנִי) — depressed, in mind or circumstances
  • when he is overwhelmed H5848 (עָטַף) — to shroud, i.e. clothe (whether transitive or reflex.); hence (from the idea of darkness) to languish
  • and poureth out H8210 (שָׁפַךְ) — to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e. to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc.); intensi…
  • his complaint H7879 (שִׂיחַ) — a contemplation; by implication, an utterance
  • before H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
  • Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
  • Hear H8085 (שָׁמַע) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
  • my prayer H8605 (תְּפִלָּה) — intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn
  • O Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
  • and let my cry H7775 (שַׁוְעָה) — a hallooing
  • come H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

2 Hide not thy face from me in the day of my distress: Incline thine ear unto me; In the day when I call answer me speedily.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Hide H5641 (סָתַר) — to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively
  • not thy face H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
  • from me in the day H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
  • I am in trouble H6862 (צַר) — narrow; (as a noun) a tight place (usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble (as in 6864); (transitive) an opponent (as crowding)
  • incline H5186 (נָטָה) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
  • thine ear H241 (אֹזֶן) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
  • unto me: in the day H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
  • I call H7121 (קָרָא) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
  • answer H6030 (עָנָה) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, a…
  • me speedily H4118 (מַהֵר) — properly, hurrying; hence (adverbially) in a hurry

3 For my days consume away like smoke, And my bones are burned as a firebrand.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • For my days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
  • are consumed H3615 (כָּלָה) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
  • like smoke H6227 (עָשָׁן) — smoke, literally or figuratively (vapor, dust, anger)
  • and my bones H6106 (עֶצֶם) — a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.) selfsame
  • are burned H2787 (חָרַר) — to glow, i.e. literally (to melt, burn, dry up) or figuratively (to show or incite passion)
  • as an hearth H4168 (מוֹקֵד) — a fire or fuel; abstractly, a conflagration

4 My heart is smitten like grass, and withered; For I forget to eat my bread.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • My heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
  • is smitten H5221 (נָכָה) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
  • and withered H3001 (יָבֵשׁ) — to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
  • like grass H6212 (עֶשֶׂב) — grass (or any tender shoot)
  • so that I forget H7911 (שָׁכַח) — to mislay, i.e. to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
  • to eat H398 (אָכַל) — to eat (literally or figuratively)
  • my bread H3899 (לֶחֶם) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

5 By reason of the voice of my groaning My bones cleave to my flesh.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • By reason of the voice H6963 (קוֹל) — a voice or sound
  • of my groaning H585 (אֲנָחָה) — sighing
  • my bones H6106 (עֶצֶם) — a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.) selfsame
  • cleave H1692 (דָּבַק) — properly, to impinge, i.e. cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit
  • to my skin H1320 (בָּשָׂר) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am become as an owl of the waste places.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • I am like H1819 (דָּמָה) — to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider
  • a pelican H6893 (קָאַת) — probably the pelican (from vomiting)
  • of the wilderness H4057 (מִדְבָּר) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also speech (including its organs)
  • I am like an owl H3563 (כּוֹס) — a cup (as a container), often figuratively, a lot (as if a potion); also some unclean bird, probably an owl (perhaps from the cup-like cavity of its eye)
  • of the desert H2723 (חׇרְבָּה) — properly, drought, i.e. (by implication) a desolation

7 I watch, and am become like a sparrow That is alone upon the house-top.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • I watch H8245 (שָׁקַד) — to be alert, i.e. sleepless; hence to be on the lookout (whether for good or ill)
  • and am as a sparrow H6833 (צִפּוֹר) — a little bird (as hopping)
  • alone H909 (בָּדַד) — to divide, i.e. (reflex.) be solitary
  • upon the house top H1406 (גָּג) — a roof; by analogy, the top of an altar

8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; They that are mad against me do curse by me.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Mine enemies H341 (אֹיֵב) — hating; an adversary
  • reproach H2778 (חָרַף) — to pull off, i.e. (by implication) to expose (as by stripping); specifically, to betroth (as if a surrender); figuratively, to carp at, i.e. defame; to spend th…
  • me all the day H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
  • they that are mad H1984 (הָלַל) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to ce…
  • against me are sworn H7650 (שָׁבַע) — to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, And mingled my drink with weeping,

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • For I have eaten H398 (אָכַל) — to eat (literally or figuratively)
  • ashes H665 (אֵפֶר) — ashes
  • like bread H3899 (לֶחֶם) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
  • and mingled H4537 (מָסַךְ) — to mix, especially wine (with spices)
  • my drink H8249 (שִׁקֻּו) — (plural collective) a draught
  • with weeping H1065 (בְּכִי) — a weeping; by analogy, a dripping

10 Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: For thou hast taken me up, and cast me away.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Because H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
  • of thine indignation H2195 (זַעַם) — strictly froth at the mouth, i.e. (figuratively) fury (especially of God's displeasure with sin)
  • and thy wrath H7110 (קֶצֶף) — a splinter (as chipped off); figuratively, rage or strife
  • for thou hast lifted me up H5375 (נָשָׂא) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
  • and cast me down H7993 (שָׁלַךְ) — to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

11 My days are like a shadow that declineth; And I am withered like grass.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • My days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
  • like a shadow H6738 (צֵל) — shade, whether literal or figurative
  • that declineth H5186 (נָטָה) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
  • and I am withered H3001 (יָבֵשׁ) — to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
  • like grass H6212 (עֶשֶׂב) — grass (or any tender shoot)

12 But thou, O Jehovah, wilt abide for ever; And thy memorial name unto all generations.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • But thou, O Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
  • shalt endure H3427 (יָשַׁב) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
  • for ever H5769 (עוֹלָם) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial (especially…
  • and thy remembrance H2143 (זֵכֶר) — a memento, abstractly recollection (rarely if ever); by implication, commemoration
  • unto all H1755 (דּוֹר) — properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling
  • generations H1755 (דּוֹר) — properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling

13 Thou wilt arise, and have mercy upon Zion; For it is time to have pity upon her, Yea, the set time is come.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Thou shalt arise H6965 (קוּם) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
  • have mercy H7355 (רָחַם) — to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate
  • upon Zion H6726 (צִיּוֹן) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem
  • for the time H6256 (עֵת) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.
  • to favour H2603 (חָנַן) — properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition)
  • her, yea, the set time H4150 (מוֹעֵד) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite…
  • is come H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, And have pity upon her dust.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • For thy servants H5650 (עֶבֶד) — a servant
  • take pleasure H7521 (רָצָה) — to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt
  • in her stones H68 (אֶבֶן) — a stone
  • and favour H2603 (חָנַן) — properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition)
  • the dust H6083 (עָפָר) — dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud

15 So the nations shall fear the name of Jehovah, And all the kings of the earth thy glory.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • So the heathen H1471 (גּוֹי) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
  • shall fear H3372 (יָרֵא) — to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
  • the name H8034 (שֵׁם) — an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
  • of Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
  • and all the kings H4428 (מֶלֶךְ) — a king
  • of the earth H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
  • thy glory H3519 (כָּבוֹד) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

16 For Jehovah hath built up Zion; He hath appeared in his glory.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • When Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
  • shall build up H1129 (בָּנָה) — to build (literally and figuratively)
  • Zion H6726 (צִיּוֹן) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem
  • he shall appear H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
  • in his glory H3519 (כָּבוֹד) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

17 He hath regarded the prayer of the destitute, And hath not despised their prayer.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • He will regard H6437 (פָּנָה) — to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc.
  • the prayer H8605 (תְּפִלָּה) — intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn
  • of the destitute H6199 (עַרעָר) — naked, i.e. (figuratively) poor
  • and not despise H959 (בָּזָה) — to disesteem
  • their prayer H8605 (תְּפִלָּה) — intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn

18 This shall be written for the generation to come; And a people which shall be created shall praise Jehovah.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • This shall be written H3789 (כָּתַב) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
  • for the generation H1755 (דּוֹר) — properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling
  • to come H314 (אַחֲרוֹן) — hinder; generally, late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western
  • and the people H5971 (עַם) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
  • which shall be created H1254 (בָּרָא) — (absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)
  • shall praise H1984 (הָלַל) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to ce…
  • Yah H3050 (יָהּ) — Jah, the sacred name

19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; From heaven did Jehovah behold the earth;

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • For he hath looked down H8259 (שָׁקַף) — properly, to lean out (of a window), i.e. (by implication) peep or gaze (passively, be a spectacle)
  • from the height H4791 (מָרוֹם) — altitude, i.e. concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)
  • of his sanctuary H6944 (קֹדֶשׁ) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
  • from heaven H8064 (שָׁמַיִם) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve)
  • did Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
  • behold H5027 (נָבַט) — to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care
  • the earth H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

20 To hear the sighing of the prisoner; To loose those that are appointed to death;

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • To hear H8085 (שָׁמַע) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
  • the groaning H603 (אֲנָקָה) — shrieking
  • of the prisoner H615 (אָסִיר) — bound, i.e. a captive
  • to loose H6605 (פָּתַח) — to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
  • those that are appointed H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…
  • to death H8546 (תְּמוּתָה) — execution (as a doom)

21 That men may declare the name of Jehovah in Zion, And his praise in Jerusalem;

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • To declare H5608 (סָפַר) — properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e. celebrate
  • the name H8034 (שֵׁם) — an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
  • of Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
  • in Zion H6726 (צִיּוֹן) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem
  • and his praise H8416 (תְּהִלָּה) — laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn
  • in Jerusalem H3389 (יְרוּשָׁלִַ͏ם) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine

22 When the peoples are gathered together, And the kingdoms, to serve Jehovah.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • When the people H5971 (עַם) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
  • are gathered H6908 (קָבַץ) — to grasp, i.e. collect
  • together H3162 (יַחַד) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly
  • and the kingdoms H4467 (מַמְלָכָה) — dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
  • to serve H5647 (עָבַד) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.
  • Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God

23 He weakened my strength in the way; He shortened my days.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • He weakened H6031 (עָנָה) — to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
  • my strength H3581 (כֹּחַ) — vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its hardiness) a large lizard
  • in the way H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
  • he shortened H7114 (קָצַר) — to dock off, i.e. curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain)
  • my days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…

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

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • I said H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
  • O my God H410 (אֵל) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity)
  • take me not away H5927 (עָלָה) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
  • in the midst H2677 (חֵצִי) — the half or middle
  • of my days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
  • thy years H8141 (שָׁנֶה) — a year (as a revolution of time)
  • throughout all H1755 (דּוֹר) — properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling
  • generations H1755 (דּוֹר) — properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling

25 Of old didst thou lay the foundation of the earth; And the heavens are the work of thy hands.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Of old H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
  • hast thou laid the foundation H3245 (יָסַד) — to set (literally or figuratively); intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down together, i.e. settle, consult
  • of the earth H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
  • and the heavens H8064 (שָׁמַיִם) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve)
  • the work H4639 (מַעֲשֶׂה) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
  • of thy hands H3027 (יָד) — a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of a…

26 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:

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • They shall perish H6 (אָבַד) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
  • but thou shalt endure H5975 (עָמַד) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
  • yea, all of them shall wax old H1086 (בָּלָה) — to fail; by implication to wear out, decay (causatively, consume, spend)
  • like a garment H899 (בֶּגֶד) — a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage
  • as a vesture H3830 (לְבוּשׁ) — a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication (euphemistically) a wife
  • shalt thou change H2498 (חָלַף) — properly, to slide by, i.e. (by implication) to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce or change
  • them, and they shall be changed H2498 (חָלַף) — properly, to slide by, i.e. (by implication) to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce or change

27 But thou art the same, And thy years shall have no end.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • the same, and thy years H8141 (שָׁנֶה) — a year (as a revolution of time)
  • shall have no end H8552 (תָּמַם) — to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive

28 The children of thy servants shall continue, And their seed shall be established before thee.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • The children H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…
  • of thy servants H5650 (עֶבֶד) — a servant
  • shall continue H7931 (שָׁכַן) — to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
  • and their seed H2233 (זֶרַע) — seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
  • shall be established H3559 (כּוּן) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix, prepare, a…
  • before H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…