But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
This prayer belongs to the faithful in Babylon's captivity, when deliverance drew near. They lament their afflictions, plead for the temple's restoration, and recall God's promises to steady their hope. The prophet shaped it as a form of prayer when the seventy years were nearly finished and comfort was about to break forth.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 102:1-28
But thou art the same, or, "thou art he." As a man remains the same when he has changed his clothing, so is the Lord evermore the unchanging One, though his works in creation may be changed, and the operations of his providence may vary.
When the ten tribes were lost in Assyria and Judah nearly lost in Babylon, the promise seemed to fail utterly; the strength of that nation was broken in the way, and the day of the Messiah appeared cut short. Yet the psalmist cries out as we all must when sickness or early death threatens: God's hand holds our strength and time, and we must trust His love even when both are taken from us.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 102:23-28