Psalm 102:24
ESV
"O my God," I say, "take me not away in the midst of my days — you whose years endure throughout all generations!"
NIV
So I said: "Do not take me away, my God, in the midst of my days; your years go on through all generations.
NASB
I say, 'My God, do not take me away in the middle of my days, Your years are throughout all generations.
CSB
I say: "My God, do not take me in the middle of my life! Your years continue through all generations.
NLT
But I cried to him, 'O my God, who lives forever, don’t take my life while I am so young!
KJV
I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.
NKJV
I said, “O my God, Do not take me away in the midst of my days; Your years are throughout all generations.
What does Psalm 102:24 mean?
Please see our chapter commentary on Psalm 102, verse-level content coming soon!Psalm 102:23–28 continues to look forward with hope, knowing that God is invincible and unstoppable. Even the writer's current state is part of God's sovereign plan. The psalmist is sad to think he will not live to see the Lord's ultimate victory. But he knows that the Lord outlasts everything, and some day multiple generations will experience God's goodness. Hebrews chapter 1 cites several phrases from this section.
The psalmist uses dramatic images to depict his deep suffering. These emphasize ideas like loneliness, hopelessness, and despair. Even so, the psalmist knows that God is in control. He writes a message for future generations, telling them to see his own suffering as evidence that the Lord sees His people in their pain. The psalmist is sure that God will come to rescue His people, one day, and they will be safe forever.
