Psalm 102 7

Psalm 102:7 kjv

I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.

Psalm 102:7 nkjv

I lie awake, And am like a sparrow alone on the housetop.

Psalm 102:7 niv

I lie awake; I have become like a bird alone on a roof.

Psalm 102:7 esv

I lie awake; I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop.

Psalm 102:7 nlt

I lie awake,
lonely as a solitary bird on the roof.

Psalm 102 verses

Psalm 102 7 Meaning

The psalmist describes his state of profound inner turmoil and desolate loneliness, depicting himself as unable to find rest due to overwhelming distress, watching vigilantly and feeling utterly exposed like a solitary bird left vulnerable on a housetop.

Psalm 102 7 Context

Psalm 102 is identified in its superscription as "a prayer of an afflicted person who has grown weak and pours out his lament before the LORD." This places the verse within a deeply personal lament psalm, expressing the intense suffering of an individual who feels physically decaying, socially abandoned, and perhaps spiritually forsaken. The preceding verses (3-6) paint a vivid picture of the psalmist's physical ailments and emotional distress, likening his bones to burning fire and his heart to withered grass. Psalm 102:7 builds upon this, shifting from physical symptoms to the profound mental and emotional toll of his suffering—manifested as chronic sleeplessness and utter social isolation. Culturally, flat rooftops in ancient Israel served as common elevated spaces for various activities, including rest, contemplation, or even sleeping outdoors. To be "alone on a housetop" highlights both exposure to the elements and an absence of any protective shelter or human companionship, making his private suffering ironically visible yet unaddressed.

Psalm 102 7 Word analysis

• שׁקדתי (shaqadeti) - "I lie awake / I have kept vigil": Derived from the Hebrew root שׁקד (shaqad), meaning "to watch," "to be wakeful," "to be diligent." In this Qal Perfect form, it conveys an involuntary and persistent state of sleeplessness. It signifies an inability to find rest, often stemming from profound anxiety, overwhelming sorrow, or severe physical pain that relentlessly torments the mind.
• ואהיה (ve'eheyeh) - "and I became / and I am": From the Hebrew verb היה (hayah), meaning "to be" or "to become." The use of the waw-consecutive imperfect indicates a resultant state, establishing a direct link between the prior condition of sleeplessness and the subsequent metaphorical description of himself. It conveys that his inability to rest has culminated in his desolate state.
• כצפור (ketzippor) - "like a bird / like a sparrow": The Hebrew prefix "כ" (ke-) serves as a comparative, meaning "like" or "as." צפור (tzippor) is a general term for a small, wild bird, commonly translated as "sparrow." The comparison to such a creature highlights the psalmist's profound sense of vulnerability, insignificance, and helplessness.
• בודד (boded) - "alone / solitary": From the Hebrew root בדד (badad), signifying "to be isolated" or "to be by oneself." This participle intensifies the "bird" metaphor, emphasizing extreme and painful loneliness. It implies a state of complete separation from any form of companionship, comfort, or support, be it social, emotional, or spiritual.
• על גג (al gag) - "on a housetop": על (al) means "on" or "upon," and גג (gag) refers to the flat roof of a building, characteristic of ancient Near Eastern architecture. While rooftops could be used for retreat, being "alone on a housetop" in this context suggests exposure and a complete lack of protective shelter. It portrays a visible, unsheltered anguish, where the sufferer is open to all forces yet devoid of any refuge or aid.

• "I lie awake, and am like": This opening clause intertwines the psalmist's inner torment—his inability to find repose—with the immediate and stark outward symbol of his condition. It communicates that his restless, troubled state of mind has irrevocably defined his entire being, manifesting as the embodiment of isolated suffering.
• "a sparrow alone on a housetop": This deeply poignant imagery powerfully encapsulates the psalmist's suffering. It combines the vulnerability and seeming insignificance of a common bird (sparrow) with the crushing weight of utter isolation (alone) and complete lack of protection (on a housetop). The familiar bird, now rendered unnaturally solitary and exposed, becomes a striking symbol of profound desolation and abandonment, visible to all but beyond the reach of solace.

Psalm 102 7 Bonus section

The imagery of a "sparrow alone on a housetop" is particularly striking due to sparrows typically being social creatures, living in flocks or pairs. Therefore, a lone sparrow would be an unusual and conspicuous sight, amplifying the psalmist's profound sense of unique and agonizing isolation. This intensifies the meaning beyond simple solitude, conveying a feeling of being unnaturally alienated and noticeably forsaken, even amidst a populated setting. However, it also implicitly sets the stage for God's merciful attention, for if God takes notice of every sparrow (Matt 10:29), how much more does He perceive and hear the anguished cry of a solitary human pouring out their lament before Him? This subtle contrast points to God's omnipresent care even in the face of felt abandonment.

Psalm 102 7 Commentary

Psalm 102:7 is a profound declaration of deep personal suffering, highlighting both relentless insomnia and pervasive isolation. The psalmist, unable to find solace or sleep, likens himself to a small, common bird, a "sparrow," yet one that is uncharacteristically "alone" and utterly "exposed on a housetop." This powerful metaphor conveys extreme vulnerability, highlighting an intense and consuming loneliness that leaves him without companionship or sanctuary. His pain is not merely internal but is on visible display, albeit without comfort or intervention, portraying a soul overwhelmed and feeling utterly forsaken.