Definition: A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down Psalm 102:1. It’s a really beautiful and powerful verse that speaks to feeling overwhelmed and reaching out to God in times of difficulty. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Essentially, this verse is about acknowledging your pain and turning to God when you’re struggling. Let's unpack it word by word: “A Prayer of the afflicted…” – This tells us this isn't a joyful or celebratory prayer. It’s a prayer for someone who feels sad, frustrated, or burdened. “…when he is overwhelmed…” – "Overwhelmed" means you feel like you can't handle something – maybe a difficult situation, a problem, or even just feeling really stressed. It suggests you’re struggling with a lot. “Poureth out his complaint before the LORD.” - "Complaint" is simply expressing your feelings of frustration, disappointment, or negativity. “Poureth out” means to pour out – to express something heavily and openly. So, he's letting all his worries and frustrations flow towards God. “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.” - This is the core of the verse. He’s asking for God’s response . He's hoping that God will hear his pain, understand it, and acknowledge it. And he wants to know that his cry – his feeling – will ultimately reach Him. What does this mean practically? It's a message of: Acceptance: Don’t try to hide your feelings. Let them out. Trust: You're turning to God, even when you feel like you can't cope. Seeking Comfort: It's a plea for help and understanding from a powerful source. In short, it's a reminder that it’s okay to be struggling, and that seeking God in times of difficulty is a sign of strength. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Talk about the context of this Psalm (when was it written)?