What does Psalms 102:14 mean?

For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof. Psalms 102:14

Explanation

The verse Psalms 102:14, “For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof,” likely speaks to a deep affection and reverence that the servants of God have for Jerusalem, which is often personified as a woman in biblical literature. The ‘stones’ and ‘dust’ might refer to the ruined state of the city, possibly after its destruction by foreign powers. The “servants” are likely the Israelite people or the devout followers of God, who long for the restoration of their holy city. Though the city is in disrepair, the verse emphasizes an attachment so strong that even the most basic and fragmented elements of the city—the stones and dust—are cherished.

Historical Context

This verse from Psalm 102 is situated within a text known as a psalm of lamentation, which expresses sorrow and a longing for God’s intervention. The historical context suggests that it was written during a time when Jerusalem had been laid to waste, potentially after the Babylonian captivity in the 6th century BCE, where the Babylonian Empire destroyed Jerusalem and the First Temple, and the Jewish elite were exiled.

Theological Insights

The verse reflects a theological concept of the sanctity of Jerusalem in Jewish tradition. It shows an understanding that physical places can hold religious significance and that the yearning for the redemption of such a place can be a form of devotion. The verse can also be understood in Christian theology as a prefiguring of the New Jerusalem, a city of peace and perfection that is anticipated in eschatological thought.

Practical Applications

The reverence for the “stones” and “dust” of Jerusalem can be seen as an invitation to value and honor the history and tradition of one’s faith or culture. It teaches the importance of holding on to one’s identity, especially during times of hardship or after a disaster has occurred. It also suggests that there is worth in even the smallest and seemingly insignificant parts of our heritage.

Cross-References

• Nehemiah 4:2 – “And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?”
• Psalm 102:13 – “Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.”
• Lamentations 4:1 – “How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street.”

Language Study

In the original Hebrew text, the word translated as “servants” is עֲבָדֶיךָ (avadayka), which can refer to servants, worshippers, or those who perform religious duties. The word for “stones” is אֲבָנֶיהָ (avaneyha), intended to be literal but can also symbolize strength and foundation. The term “favour” is חָנַנּוּ (channanu), which can mean to show mercy or to be gracious. Thus, the emphasis is not only on the physical components but also on the affection and respect for what they represent.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Although this passage is from a Judeo-Christian text, many cultures and religions demonstrate a deep affection for sacred sites and ruins. For instance, in Islam, the reverence for the cities of Mecca and Medina could be compared to the reverence the Jewish people have for Jerusalem.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the verse can be viewed in the light of psychology, particularly the study of attachment to place and the concept of solastalgia, which is the distress caused by environmental change impacting one’s sense of place. Even though the verse doesn’t directly touch upon scientific ideas, it aligns with the understanding that humans develop strong emotional connections to their environments.

commentaries

Various Bible commentaries offer different insights on this verse:

• Matthew Henry’s Commentary suggests that the pleasure and favor shown towards the ruins of Jerusalem indicate a stirring of affection that preludes God’s intent to rebuild the city.
• The Pulpit Commentary notes that an ardent attachment to the very stones and dust of Jerusalem is an indication of the deeply seated love towards the holy city and the longing for its restoration.
• John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible interprets the dust as being precious even in its desolation because of the people’s memories of the city’s former glory and their faith in its future restoration.