Psalm 102:17
He will turn toward the prayer of the destitute; He will not despise their prayer.
He will respond
The phrase "He will respond" emphasizes God's attentiveness and willingness to engage with His people. The Hebrew root for "respond" is "עָנָה" (anah), which conveys the idea of answering or paying attention. This word assures believers that God is not distant or indifferent; rather, He is actively listening and ready to answer the cries of His people. Historically, this reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God consistently demonstrated His faithfulness by responding to their needs and prayers.

to the prayer
The word "prayer" in Hebrew is "תְּפִלָּה" (tefillah), which encompasses not just requests but also worship, confession, and thanksgiving. This indicates that God is attentive to all forms of communication from His people, not just petitions. The act of prayer is a central theme throughout the Bible, serving as a vital connection between humanity and the divine. It is a reminder of the privilege believers have to approach God with their concerns and praises.

of the destitute
The term "destitute" translates from the Hebrew "עָרְעָר" (arar), meaning stripped or bare, often used to describe those who are impoverished or in desperate need. This highlights God's compassion and care for the marginalized and vulnerable. Throughout Scripture, God consistently shows a special concern for the poor and needy, reinforcing the idea that His love and mercy extend to all, regardless of their social or economic status.

and will not despise
The phrase "will not despise" comes from the Hebrew "בָּזָה" (baza), meaning to hold in contempt or disdain. This assures believers that God values every prayer, regardless of the person's status or situation. In a historical context, this reflects God's consistent character as one who lifts up the humble and opposes the proud. It is a comforting reminder that God’s love is unconditional and His acceptance is not based on human standards.

their plea
The word "plea" in Hebrew is "תַּחֲנוּן" (tachanun), which refers to a supplication or earnest request. This term underscores the sincerity and urgency often found in prayers of those in distress. The use of "plea" conveys the depth of human need and the earnestness with which people seek divine intervention. It is a testament to the power of prayer and the assurance that God hears and values the heartfelt cries of His people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Psalmist
The author of Psalm 102, traditionally believed to be David or another figure experiencing deep distress, who cries out to God for help and deliverance.

2. The Destitute
Refers to those who are in a state of extreme poverty or need, both materially and spiritually, who seek God's intervention.

3. God
The central figure who hears and responds to the prayers of the destitute, demonstrating His compassion and faithfulness.

4. Zion
While not mentioned directly in this verse, the broader context of Psalm 102 includes a focus on Zion, symbolizing God's presence and the hope of restoration for His people.

5. The Event of Prayer
The act of the destitute reaching out to God in their time of need, highlighting the importance of prayer as a means of communication with the divine.
Teaching Points
God's Compassionate Nature
God is attentive to the prayers of those in need. His compassion is not limited by human status or condition.

The Power of Prayer
Prayer is a powerful tool for believers, especially in times of distress. It is a direct line to God, who promises to listen and respond.

Encouragement for the Needy
Those who feel destitute or abandoned can find hope in God's promise to hear and not despise their prayers.

Faith in God's Timing
Trust in God's perfect timing and wisdom in responding to our prayers, even when immediate answers are not evident.

Community Support
As believers, we are called to support and pray for one another, especially for those who are struggling or in need.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's promise to hear the prayers of the destitute impact your personal prayer life?

2. In what ways can you support those in your community who are experiencing destitution, both spiritually and materially?

3. Reflect on a time when you felt God answered your prayer. How did that experience strengthen your faith?

4. How can the church collectively embody the compassion of God as described in Psalm 102:17?

5. What other biblical examples can you find where God responded to the prayers of those in need, and what can you learn from those accounts?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 34:17
This verse also speaks of God hearing the cries of the righteous and delivering them from their troubles, reinforcing the theme of divine responsiveness to prayer.

Isaiah 41:17
This passage describes God's promise to respond to the needs of the poor and needy, aligning with the assurance given in Psalm 102:17.

James 5:16
The New Testament emphasizes the power of prayer, particularly the prayers of the righteous, which are effective and powerful.

Luke 18:1-8
Jesus' parable of the persistent widow illustrates the importance of persistent prayer and God's willingness to bring justice to His chosen ones who cry out to Him.
Good News for the DestitutePsalm 102:17
The Prayer of the DestituteS. Conway Psalm 102:17
Earnest Prayer Alone SucceedsR. J. Campbell, M. A.Psalm 102:1-28
God Will Hear My PrayerA. Maclaren, D.D.Psalm 102:1-28
Light Arising in DarknessS. Conway Psalm 102:1-28
The Conditions of Acceptable PrayerD. A. Clark.Psalm 102:1-28
Thoughts of Comfort and ComplaintHomilistPsalm 102:1-28
Changing Self; Changing World; Unchanging GodR. Tuck Psalm 102:12, 25-27
People
David, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Despise, Despised, Destitute, Ear, Plea, Poor, Prayer, Regard, Regarded, Request, Responded, Supplication
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 102:17

     5450   poverty, spiritual
     5932   response

Psalm 102:15-22

     1235   God, the LORD

Psalm 102:17-18

     5566   suffering, encouragements in

Library
Out of the Deep of Loneliness, Failure, and Disappointment.
My heart is smitten down, and withered like grass. I am even as a sparrow that sitteth alone on the housetop--Ps. cii. 4, 6. My lovers and friends hast Thou put away from me, and hid mine acquaintance out of my sight--Ps. lxxviii. 18. I looked on my right hand, and saw there was no man that would know me. I had no place to flee unto, and no man cared for my soul. I cried unto Thee, O Lord, and said, Thou art my Hope. When my spirit was in heaviness, then Thou knewest my path.--Ps. cxlii. 4, 5.
Charles Kingsley—Out of the Deep

That True Solace is to be Sought in God Alone
Whatsoever I am able to desire or to think of for my solace, I look for it not here, but hereafter. For if I alone had all the solaces of this world, and were able to enjoy all its delights, it is certain that they could not endure long. Wherefore, O my soul, thou canst be fully comforted and perfectly refreshed, only in God, the Comforter of the poor, and the lifter up of the humble. Wait but a little while, my soul, wait for the Divine promise, and thou shalt have abundance of all good things
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

That He who is About to Communicate with Christ Ought to Prepare Himself with Great Diligence
The Voice of the Beloved I am the Lover of purity, and Giver of sanctity. I seek a pure heart, and there is the place of My rest. Prepare for Me the larger upper room furnished, and I will keep the Passover at thy house with my disciples.(1) If thou wilt that I come unto thee and abide with thee, purge out the old leaven,(2) and cleanse the habitation of thy heart. Shut out the whole world, and all the throng of sins; sit as a sparrow alone upon the house-top,(3) and think upon thy transgressions
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

The Never Changing One.
"JESUS Christ the same yesterday, and to-day and forever" (Heb. xiii:8). Blessed truth and precious assurance for us poor, weak creatures, yea, among all His creatures the most changing; He changeth not. "For I am the Lord, I change not" (Mal. iii:6). "Of old hast Thou laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Thy hands. They shall all 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;
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

The Unchangeableness of God
The next attribute is God's unchangeableness. I am Jehovah, I change not.' Mal 3:3. I. God is unchangeable in his nature. II. In his decree. I. Unchangeable in his nature. 1. There is no eclipse of his brightness. 2. No period put to his being. [1] No eclipse of his brightness. His essence shines with a fixed lustre. With whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.' James 1:17. Thou art the same.' Psa 102:27. All created things are full of vicissitudes. Princes and emperors are subject to
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Our Last ChapterConcluded with the Words, "For Childhood and Youth are Vanity"...
Our last chapter concluded with the words, "For childhood and youth are vanity": that is, childhood proves the emptiness of all "beneath the sun," as well as old age. The heart of the child has the same needs--the same capacity in kind--as that of the aged. It needs God. Unless it knows Him, and His love is there, it is empty; and, in its fleeting character, childhood proves its vanity. But this makes us quite sure that if childhood can feel the need, then God has, in His wide grace, met the
F. C. Jennings—Old Groans and New Songs

Notes on the Fourth Century
Page 238. Med. 1. In the wording of this meditation, and of several other passages in the Fourth Century, it seems as though Traherne is speaking not of himself, but of, a friend and teacher of his. He did this, no doubt, in order that he might not lay himself open to the charge of over-egotism. Yet that he is throughout relating his own experiences is proved by the fact that this Meditation, as first written, contains passages which the author afterwards marked for omission. In its original form
Thomas Traherne—Centuries of Meditations

The Nature of Justification
Justification in the active sense (iustificatio, {GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA}) is defined by the Tridentine Council as "a translation from that state wherein man is born a child of the first Adam, to the state of grace and of the adoption of the sons of God through the second Adam,
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual

Notes on the Third Century
Page 161. Line 1. He must be born again, &c. This is a compound citation from John iii. 3, and Mark x. 15, in the order named. Page 182. Line 17. For all things should work together, &c. See Romans viii. 28. Page 184. Lines 10-11. Being Satan is able, &c. 2 Corinthians xi. 14. Page 184. Last line. Like a sparrow, &c. Psalm cii. Page 187. Line 1. Mechanisms. This word is, in the original MS., mechanicismes.' Page 187. Line 7. Like the King's daughter, &c. Psalm xlv. 14. Page 188. Med. 39. The best
Thomas Traherne—Centuries of Meditations

After the Scripture.
"In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God created He him."--Gen. v. 1. In the preceding pages we have shown that the translation, "in Our image," actually means, "after Our image." To make anything in an image is no language; it is unthinkable, logically untrue. We now proceed to show how it should be translated, and give our reason for it. We begin with citing some passages from the Old Testament in which occurs the preposition "B" which, in Gen. i. 27, stands before image, where
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Third Sunday after Trinity Humility, Trust, Watchfulness, Suffering
Text: 1 Peter 5, 5-11. 5 Likewise, ye younger, be subject unto the elder. Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; 7 casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 whom withstand stedfast
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Characters and Names of Messiah
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. S uch was the triumphant exultation of the Old Testament Church! Their noblest hopes were founded upon the promise of MESSIAH; their most sublime songs were derived from the prospect of His Advent. By faith, which is the substance of things hoped for, they considered the gracious declarations
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Covenanting Predicted in Prophecy.
The fact of Covenanting, under the Old Testament dispensations, being approved of God, gives a proof that it was proper then, which is accompanied by the voice of prophecy, affording evidence that even in periods then future it should no less be proper. The argument for the service that is afforded by prophecy is peculiar, and, though corresponding with evidence from other sources, is independent. Because that God willed to make known truth through his servants the prophets, we should receive it
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Letter xvi to Rainald, Abbot of Foigny
To Rainald, Abbot of Foigny Bernard declares to him how little he loves praise; that the yoke of Christ is light; that he declines the name of father, and is content with that of brother. 1. In the first place, do not wonder if titles of honour affright me, when I feel myself so unworthy of the honours themselves; and if it is fitting that you should give them to me, it is not expedient for me to accept them. For if you think that you ought to observe that saying, In honour preferring one another
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

History of the Interpretation.
1. AMONG THE JEWS. This History, as to its essential features, might, a priori, be sketched with tolerable certainty. From the nature of the case, we could scarcely expect that the Jews should have adopted views altogether erroneous as to the subject of the prophecy in question; for the Messiah appears in it, not in His humiliation, but in His glory--rich in gifts and blessings, and Pelagian self-delusion will, a priori, return an affirmative answer to the question as to whether one is
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Testimonies.
"Without faith it is impossible to please God."--Heb. xi. 6. In order to prevent the possibility of being led into paths of error, faith is directed, not to a Christ of the imagination, but to "the Christ in the garments of the Sacred Scripture," as Calvin expresses it. And therefore we must discriminate between (1) faith as a faculty implanted in the soul without our knowledge; (2) faith as a power whereby this implanted faculty begins to act; and (3) faith as a result,--since with this faith (1)
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Spiritual Hunger Shall be Satisfied
They shall be filled. Matthew 5:6 I proceed now to the second part of the text. A promise annexed. They shall be filled'. A Christian fighting with sin is not like one that beats the air' (1 Corinthians 9:26), and his hungering after righteousness is not like one that sucks in only air, Blessed are they that hunger, for they shall be filled.' Those that hunger after righteousness shall be filled. God never bids us seek him in vain' (Isaiah 45:19). Here is an honeycomb dropping into the mouths of
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

An Analysis of Augustin's Writings against the Donatists.
The object of this chapter is to present a rudimentary outline and summary of all that Augustin penned or spoke against those traditional North African Christians whom he was pleased to regard as schismatics. It will be arranged, so far as may be, in chronological order, following the dates suggested by the Benedictine edition. The necessary brevity precludes anything but a very meagre treatment of so considerable a theme. The writer takes no responsibility for the ecclesiological tenets of the
St. Augustine—writings in connection with the donatist controversy.

The Being of God
Q-III: WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES PRINCIPALLY TEACH? A: The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. Q-IV: WHAT IS GOD? A: God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. Here is, 1: Something implied. That there is a God. 2: Expressed. That he is a Spirit. 3: What kind of Spirit? I. Implied. That there is a God. The question, What is God? takes for granted that there
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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