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Psalm 102 · a question people ask

"The set time has come" (102:13), and "A people which will be created will praise the LORD" (102:18). Which time, and which people?

In the text

The psalm doesn't give a date or name an event. It says what the time is for: "You will arise and have mercy on Zion, for it is time to have pity on her. Yes, the set time has come" (102:13). And it says who will praise: "This will be written for the generation to come. A people which will be created will praise the LORD" (102:18), "when the peoples are gathered together, the kingdoms, to serve the LORD" (102:22). Its last verse speaks of "The children of your servants" and "Their offspring" (102:28). Psalm 22 says something close with another verb: "They shall come and shall declare his righteousness to a people that shall be born" (Psalm 22:31), where Psalm 102:18 has created (tap created). The psalm doesn't say more than this, and these notes don't either.

The verses

“You will arise and have mercy on Zion, for it is time to have pity on her. Yes, the set time has come.”
Psalm 102:13 · World English Bible
“This will be written for the generation to come. A people which will be created will praise the LORD,”
Psalm 102:18 · World English Bible
“when the peoples are gathered together, the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.”
Psalm 102:22 · World English Bible
“The children of your servants will continue. Their offspring will be established before you.””
Psalm 102:28 · 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