Psalm 102 14

Psalm 102:14 kjv

For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.

Psalm 102:14 nkjv

For Your servants take pleasure in her stones, And show favor to her dust.

Psalm 102:14 niv

For her stones are dear to your servants; her very dust moves them to pity.

Psalm 102:14 esv

For your servants hold her stones dear and have pity on her dust.

Psalm 102:14 nlt

For your people love every stone in her walls
and cherish even the dust in her streets.

Psalm 102 verses

Psalm 102 14 Meaning

This verse expresses the profound devotion of God's faithful people towards Zion, the holy city of Jerusalem, even when it lies in complete ruin. It signifies an unwavering hope and deep love for God's dwelling place, indicating that true believers cherish its very remnants – its scattered stones and dust – due to their understanding of God's eternal covenant and the ultimate fulfillment of His promises concerning His city and people. This passionate identification with Zion's desolation precedes and underscores the anticipated divine act of restoration mentioned in the preceding verse.

Psalm 102 14 Context

Psalm 102 is categorized as a communal lament, though it begins with an intense personal outpouring of suffering from the psalmist (vv. 1-11), who feels isolated and deeply afflicted. This shifts dramatically at verse 12, where the focus moves from personal distress to God's eternal nature and His promised redemptive action for Zion. Verse 13 states, "You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come." This directly sets the stage for verse 14, providing the "for" or "because" as a reason why God should act: His loyal "servants" harbor an unwavering affection for the desolate city. Historically, this Psalm is often associated with the Babylonian Exile or the post-exilic period when Jerusalem and its Temple lay in ruins. The psalmist, likely speaking on behalf of the faithful remnant, voices a collective grief over the city's degradation while simultaneously expressing a fervent hope rooted in divine covenant promises for Zion's restoration. Their deep affection for the "stones" and "dust" reflects profound identification with the city's plight and an unyielding belief in its promised renewal.

Psalm 102 14 Word analysis

• For (כִּי - ki): This conjunction means "indeed," "surely," or "because." Here, it establishes a causal link, providing the reason for God's action mentioned in verse 13. It implies that the profound devotion of God's people is a key factor or impetus for God's compassionate intervention toward Zion.
• Your servants (עֲבָדֶיךָ - avadekha): This term refers to God's faithful, obedient people. It designates those who are deeply devoted to Him and His purposes, distinguishing them from the indifferent or unfaithful. Their identity as "servants" highlights their submission to God's will and their care for what God cares about.
• take pleasure (רָצוּ - ratzu): From the Hebrew root רָצָה (ratsah), meaning "to delight in," "to be pleased with," "to favor," or "to accept." This word implies more than mere acceptance; it signifies a deep affection, satisfaction, and heartfelt desire. It suggests that even in devastation, they find intrinsic value and spiritual joy in Zion.
• in her stones (אֲבָנֶיהָ - avaneyha): "Her stones" (plural, referring to Jerusalem/Zion) denotes the fallen debris, the scattered ruins of city walls, temple foundations, and collapsed buildings. This imagery powerfully conveys the extent of the city's destruction. To "take pleasure" in such remnants is an expression of profound, almost irrational love, recognizing the inherent holiness and future promise embedded even in desolation.
• and favor (וַיְחֹנְנֻהָ - vachonunah): Derived from the root חָנַן (chanan), meaning "to show favor," "to be gracious to," "to pity," or "to have compassion on." In this context, it speaks to an active, tender care, a deep empathetic yearning towards the distressed state of the city. It means to express tender affection and deep concern.
• her dust (עֲפָרָהּ - afarah): "Her dust" refers to the literal dirt, debris, and ash resulting from destruction. Dust symbolizes abasement, decay, mourning, and a state of utter desolation, often indicating a place has been trodden underfoot. To "favor" the dust emphasizes a love that descends to the very lowest and most despised condition of the city, cherishing every last particle as precious.

• "Your servants take pleasure": This phrase highlights the personal, intentional, and deeply emotional investment of God's covenant people. Their devotion is not passive but an active and joyful identification with God's plans and presence tied to Zion.
• "in her stones and favor her dust": This is a powerful literary parallelism employing merism, contrasting the physical reality of Jerusalem's utter destruction with the profound and enduring love of God's loyal followers. It uses two extreme aspects of desolation (solid ruins and fine dust) to represent the entirety of the city's brokenness. This double emphasis intensifies the scope of their unwavering devotion, which clings to future hope rather than present glory.

Psalm 102 14 Bonus section

This verse functions as a key component in the larger theological narrative of God's relationship with Zion. It positions the profound devotion of God's human "servants" as a critical element that draws forth divine compassion and intervention. The deep-seated affection for the very dust of the destroyed city signals a steadfastness in faith that extends beyond mere circumstances. This fidelity is rooted in a correct understanding of God's immutable character and His covenant promises concerning Zion's eternal significance. The spiritual identification with a ruined Jerusalem serves as a prefiguring of the church's spiritual longing for the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:2), the ultimate fulfillment of God's dwelling place among His redeemed people. The seemingly humble sentiment expressed in Ps 102:14 is actually a mighty cry of hope, an act of faith that lays the groundwork for God to "arise and have compassion on Zion."

Psalm 102 14 Commentary

Psalm 102:14 powerfully illustrates the unwavering love and profound spiritual identification of God's faithful people with Zion, even in its state of profound desolation. The verse pivots the "appointed time" for God's favor (v. 13) upon the unyielding devotion of His "servants." Their "pleasure in her stones" and "favor her dust" reveal a love that transcends present suffering and physical ruin. This is not a detached or intellectual assent, but a deep, empathetic connection to the very remnants of God's dwelling place. They cherish what might appear worthless because they see it through the lens of divine promise and future glory. This active affection is an assurance to God that His people still cherish what He cherishes, providing a compelling 'reason' for His compassionate intervention. The verse serves as a profound model for believers to love God's church and His work not for their external splendor or immediate success, but with a foundational, resilient hope in God's ultimate plan, even when seemingly broken or obscure. It calls for profound solidarity with God's spiritual body and its suffering, anticipating the day of full restoration and divine vindication.