Psalms 102 · Verse 23

Psalms 102:23

He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.
Psalms 102:23, King James Version

Psalms 102:23 in other translations

BSBHe has broken my strength on the way; He has cut short my days.
WEBHe weakened my strength along the course. He shortened my days.
ASVHe weakened my strength in the way; He shortened my days.
YLTHe hath humbled in the way my power, He hath shortened my days.
DARBYHe weakened my strength in the way, he shortened my days.
BBEHe has taken my strength from me in the way; he has made short my days.
WebsterHe weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.

What does Psalms 102:23 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 102:23-28
23-28. The writer, speaking for the Church, finds encouragement in the midst of all his distresses. God's eternal existence is a pledge of faithfulness to His promises. in the way--of providence. weakened--literally, "afflicted," and made fearful of a premature end, a figure of the apprehensions of the Church, lest God might not perform His promise, drawn from those of a person in view of the dangers of early death (compare Psa 89:47). Paul (He 1:10) quotes Psa 102:26-28 as addressed to Christ in His divine nature. The scope of the Psalm, as already seen, so far from opposing, favors this view, especially by the sentiments of Psa 102:12-15 (compare Is 60:1). The association of the Messiah with a day of future glory to the Church was very intimate in the minds of Old Testament writers; and with correct views of His nature it is very consistent that He should be addressed as the Lord and Head of His Church, who would bring about that glorious future on which they ever dwelt with fond delightful anticipations.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 23 He weakened my strength in the way - We are brought so low in our captivity by oppression, by every species of hard usage, and by death, that there is now no hope of our restoration by any efforts of our own.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 102:23-28
Bodily distempers soon weaken our strength, then what can we expect but that our months should be cut off in the midst; and what should we do but provide accordingly? We must own God's hand in it; and must reconcile this to his love, for often those that have used their strength well, have it weakened; and those who, as we think, can very ill be spared, have their days shortened. It is very comfortable, in reference to all the changes and dangers of the church, to remember that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. And in reference to the death of our bodies, and the removal of friends, to remember that God is an everlasting God. Do not let us overlook the assurance this psalm contains of a happy end to all the believer's trials. Though all things are changing, dying, perishing, like a vesture folding up and hastening to decay, yet Jesus lives, and thus all is secure, for he hath said, Because I live ye shall live also.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Psalms 102:23 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

עִנָּ֖ה'i.Nahhe has humbledH6031
בַדֶּ֥רֶךְva.De.rekhin the wayH1870
כֹּחִ֗יko.Chistrength myH3581
קִצַּ֥רki.Tzarhe has cut shortH7114
יָמָֽי\׃ya.Maidays myH3117

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 102:23

  • Revelation 11:2-19

    But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. …

  • Psalms 89:38-47

    But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine anointed. Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown by casting it to the ground. Thou hast broken down all his hedges; thou hast brought his strong holds to ruin. All that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his neighbours. …

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12

    Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. …

  • Job 21:21

    For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?

  • 2 Timothy 3:1-17

    This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; …

  • 1 Timothy 4:1-3

    Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
He weakened. Heb. He afflicted.
89:38-47; 2Th 2:3-12; 1Ti 4:1-3; 2Ti 3:1-17; Re 11:2-19; 12:13-17
shortened.
Job 21:21

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Psalms 102:22

    When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord.

  • Psalms 102:23

    He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.

  • Psalms 102:24

    I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.

Read all of Psalms 102

Psalms 102:23 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		El afligió mi fuerza en el camino; acortó mis días.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Quand les peuples seront rassemblés, et les royaumes, pour servir l’ Éternel.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Er hat meine Kraft gebeugt auf dem Wege, hat verkürzt meine Tage.