Psalms 102:19

19 "God looked out from his high holy place; from heaven he surveyed the earth.

Psalms 102:19 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 102:19

For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary
From heaven, as it is explained in the next clause, which is the Lord's sanctuary, or holy place, where he dwells, even in the height of it; it is both high and holy, as he himself is; yet he condescends to look down from thence on sinful mortals:

from heaven did the Lord behold the earth;
the inhabitants of it, good and bad: it designs the general notice he takes of men and things in a providential way; he beholds the world, that lies in wickedness, and all the wickedness committed in it; and will one day call to an account, and punish for it; he beholds good men, not only with an eye of providence, to take care of them, protect and defend, but with an eye of love, grace, and mercy; he has a special and distinct knowledge of them, and it may here particularly regard the notice he takes of his people, under antichristian tyranny; he sees all the barbarity and cruelty exercised upon them, and will requite it, ere long, to their adversaries, and free them from it, as follows.

Psalms 102:19 In-Context

17 When he attends to the prayer of the wretched. He won't dismiss their prayer.
18 Write this down for the next generation so people not yet born will praise God:
19 "God looked out from his high holy place; from heaven he surveyed the earth.
20 He listened to the groans of the doomed, he opened the doors of their death cells."
21 Write it so the story can be told in Zion, so God's praise will be sung in Jerusalem's streets

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Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.