Psalm 102 20

Psalm 102:20 kjv

To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;

Psalm 102:20 nkjv

To hear the groaning of the prisoner, To release those appointed to death,

Psalm 102:20 niv

to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death."

Psalm 102:20 esv

to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die,

Psalm 102:20 nlt

to hear the groans of the prisoners,
to release those condemned to die.

Psalm 102 verses

Psalm 102 20 Meaning

Psalm 102:20 speaks of God's profound attentiveness to the desperate cries of the suffering, particularly those held captive or facing imminent death. It reveals God's compassionate character as one who not only hears the anguished groaning of the prisoner but actively intervenes to liberate those condemned to die. This verse expresses a divine promise of deliverance from the gravest forms of human oppression and mortal peril, signifying God's justice and redemptive power on behalf of the most vulnerable.

Psalm 102 20 Context

Psalm 102 is a "prayer of an afflicted person when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the Lord." The psalmist, possibly in exile or enduring severe suffering and loneliness, describes their desperate state, feeling isolated, nearing death, and weighed down by affliction. Yet, amidst this profound despair, the psalm shifts to an affirmation of God's eternal nature and His steadfast love for Zion (Jerusalem) and His people. Verse 20 is situated within the latter part of the psalm, where the speaker, despite their personal pain, looks beyond themselves to God's universal redemptive work. They trust that the same God who will rebuild Zion and hear their own prayer also actively hears and delivers other oppressed individuals, specifically those in literal or metaphorical captivity ("the prisoner") and those facing execution or imminent death ("doomed to die"). Historically, this could resonate with the experience of the Babylonian exiles or others suffering under oppressive regimes, whose cries for liberation were fervent. The verse serves as a declaration of God's character and intention towards all the distressed, providing a basis for hope not just for the individual but for all who suffer under extreme duress.

Psalm 102 20 Word analysis

• to hear (לִשְׁמֹעַ lishmo'a):

  • This is not merely auditory perception but denotes attentive listening followed by a responsive act. It implies active engagement, care, and readiness to intervene.
  • In biblical usage, "to hear" God's people's cries often precedes divine action and deliverance, highlighting His omnipresent compassion and sovereignty.
  • This action aligns with God's character as a covenant-keeping God who is deeply concerned with justice and the welfare of His suffering people.

• the groaning (אֶנְקַת enqat):

  • Refers to a deep, agonizing sound of pain, distress, anguish, or severe suffering that expresses desperation beyond words.
  • It often describes the cries of those oppressed, such as the Israelites in Egypt (Exod 2:24). It's a fundamental cry of humanity experiencing injustice or severe pain, directly appealing to divine intervention.

• of the prisoner (אֶסִיר 'asir):

  • Denotes one who is bound, captive, or confined, whether in a literal dungeon or a state of oppressive spiritual or physical bondage.
  • It includes those whose freedom has been unjustly taken away, signifying a profound state of helplessness and dependency on external rescue.
  • The "prisoner" symbolizes anyone subjected to oppressive forces or circumstances that strip them of liberty.

• to set free / to release (לְפַתֵּחַ l'fat-te'ach):

  • Implies an action of opening, unbinding, loosing, or delivering from confinement. It’s an active, powerful intervention to break bonds and grant freedom.
  • This word showcases God's active role as a liberator, contrasting human helplessness with divine omnipotence to shatter chains and release from imprisonment.

• those who were doomed to die (בְּנֵי תְּמוּתָה b'nei t'mutah):

  • Literally translates to "sons of death" or "children of death." This powerful idiom signifies those appointed, condemned, or destined for death.
  • It points to an extreme peril, whether facing execution, fatal illness, or mortal danger. This phrase conveys a state of hopelessness from a human perspective, where death is certain and unavoidable without divine intervention.
  • The gravity of this phrase emphasizes God's power to intervene even when all human hope is lost.

• words-group analysis:

  • to hear the groaning of the prisoner: This phrase emphasizes God's unique attentiveness to the most voiceless and helpless in society. It underscores that even the most desperate cries of those suffering injustice or profound hardship reach God's ears. This reveals His deep compassion and empathy, affirming that no suffering is unnoticed by the divine.
  • to set free those who were doomed to die: This powerful clause highlights God's active, redemptive power. It is not merely hearing or sympathizing, but acting to deliver from the ultimate peril—death itself. This divine ability to rescue from certain destruction signifies God as the ultimate source of life and hope, demonstrating His sovereignty over all life and death.

Psalm 102 20 Bonus section

This verse stands as a testament to God's universal sovereignty and redemptive mission, extending beyond the nation of Israel to all humanity in their various forms of oppression. It teaches that the deepest expressions of human helplessness and anguish elicit the greatest divine intervention. The "groaning" described here is an ancient echo of humanity's yearning for deliverance from sin, death, and oppression—a cry ultimately answered in the person and work of the Messiah. Just as Christ came "to proclaim liberty to the captives" (Lk 4:18), fulfilling the prophecies, so too does God consistently move in history to alleviate suffering and bring liberation. This divine attentiveness serves as an encouragement to prayer, assuring believers that no burden is too heavy, no captivity too secure, and no condemnation too final for God to hear and to act upon. It also challenges believers to embody this divine compassion, becoming instruments of liberation and justice in a world still groaning under various forms of bondage and death.

Psalm 102 20 Commentary

Psalm 102:20 offers a profound declaration of God's compassionate justice and redemptive power. It illustrates that the Almighty God, who is enthroned eternally above all creation, does not remain distant from human suffering but stoops down to actively attend to the cries of the most vulnerable. "To hear the groaning of the prisoner" portrays a God whose attention is drawn to those bound, oppressed, and without liberty, discerning the deep anguish that transcends spoken words. This is an active, sympathetic hearing, promising not just knowledge of their plight but a forthcoming intervention. Furthermore, "to set free those who were doomed to die" underlines God's extraordinary capability to intervene in situations of ultimate despair and pre-determined destruction. Whether the condemned are prisoners facing execution, individuals facing fatal circumstances, or those trapped in systems designed for their demise, God is presented as the supreme Liberator who can overturn the sentence of death. This verse encapsulates the theological truth that God identifies with the oppressed, extends His mercy to the hopeless, and wields the power to grant freedom even in the shadow of death, reflecting His character as both Judge and Savior. It points to a divine plan that prioritizes the restoration of life and liberty, laying a groundwork for future messianic promises of release from all forms of bondage.