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Psalm 102 · a question people ask

"Because of your indignation and your wrath" (102:10). Does the psalm say what he did wrong?

In the text

No. The psalmist says, "I have eaten ashes like bread, and mixed my drink with tears, because of your indignation and your wrath; for you have taken me up and thrown me away" (102:9-10). He names God's indignation, but the psalm names no sin, confesses none, and doesn't say why. Psalm 38 has the same Hebrew words for because of your indignation, and then in the same verse names a sin: "There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation, neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin" (Psalm 38:3). Psalm 102 has the first of those and not the second. It doesn't say what his trouble is either, beyond what he describes (102:3-9). The psalm doesn't answer the question, and goes on:"But you, LORD, will remain forever" (102:12).

The verses

“But you, LORD, will remain forever; your renown endures to all generations.”
Psalm 102:12 · World English Bible
“There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation, neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin.”
Psalm 38:3 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 102

Psalm 102: But you are the same

Psalm 102's title names no one: it is "A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed" (102:1). Three times it turns with the same Hebrew word, "But you" (102:12, 102:26, 102:27), from the psalmist's short days to God's years. And Hebrews gives 102:25-27 "of the Son" (Hebrews 1:8).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions