A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before the Lord:

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come to You. (Psalm 102:1)

As we begin, let us first take note of the heading given to this particular psalm, which tradition says was written by David. Though he was a king capable of wielding great power, David was well acquainted with affliction and the sense of being overwhelmed with life’s problems. This was the case before and after being crowned as Israel’s monarch. Consequently, he is well versed in the emotions that a person feels when it seems as if there is no hope save that which comes from Heaven, thus the appeal: “Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come to You.”

The Hebrew word translated as “overwhelmed” is עטף ataf, which in some translations is rendered “when he swoons.” The term is used to describe a person who has been weakened to the point of doubling over. In fact, the root means to “fold over” as one who is bent over due to intense pain or even hunger. Such is the image that David wished to portray in this psalm; to amplify just how desperate he was to hear from heaven. It was as if he were a starving man, doubled over in pain and hardly able to go. In that state he cries out to God in desperation hopeful that the Lord would hear from heaven and respond to his cry.

It is also worth noting that this same word, ataf, means to be “cloaked,” as with a cape or even more appropriately in this context, a prayer shawl. In other words, by using this one phrase David conveys two different, and yet obviously linked, gestures. The one who is bent over by the weight of affliction wisely goes into his prayer closet to appeal to Heaven’s mercy, cloaking himself in a garment of humility This being so, let us consider that a king is describing this scene for us; meaning that whether mighty or weak, rich or poor, no one is exempt from trouble. Those who govern and those who are governed cannot escape the fact that some problems are beyond our ability to fix. Therefore, if we are wise enough to humble ourselves, there is One who has the answer. It is to Him that we can present our petitions and believe that, in His mercy and goodness, He will answer.

Blessings and Shalom,  

Bill 

Become a Premium Partner

or make a one time gift below.