Psalms 102:19

19 For He ¹looked down from His holy height; ²From heaven the LORD gazed upon 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 He has regarded the prayer of the destitute And has not despised their prayer.

18 This will be written for the generation to come, That a people yet to be created may praise the LORD .

19 For He looked down from His holy height; From heaven the LORD gazed upon the earth,

20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner, To set free those who were doomed to death,

21 That men may tell of the name of the LORD in Zion And His praise in Jerusalem,

Cross References

• 1. Deuteronomy 26:15; Psalms 14:2; Psalms 53:2
• 2. Psalms 33:13

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "toward"