Psalms 102:20
To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;
Original Language Analysis
לִ֭שְׁמֹעַ
To hear
H8085
לִ֭שְׁמֹעַ
To hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 6
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
לְ֝פַתֵּ֗חַ
to loose
H6605
לְ֝פַתֵּ֗חַ
to loose
Strong's:
H6605
Word #:
4 of 6
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
Cross References
Psalms 79:11Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;Psalms 146:7Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:Exodus 3:7And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;Isaiah 14:17That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?2 Kings 13:4And Jehoahaz besought the LORD, and the LORD hearkened unto him: for he saw the oppression of Israel, because the king of Syria oppressed them.Job 24:12Men groan from out of the city, and the soul of the wounded crieth out: yet God layeth not folly to them.
Historical Context
This verse may allude to Israelites imprisoned and facing execution in Babylon. God's deliverance from exile would literally save lives. It also anticipates the gospel's greater deliverance from sin and death.
Questions for Reflection
- In what areas of your life do you still need to experience Christ's liberating power?
- How can you participate in God's mission of freeing those imprisoned by sin and injustice?
Analysis & Commentary
Hearing prisoners' groaning and loosing those 'appointed to death' demonstrates God's concern for the condemned and hopeless. The Hebrew 'sons of death' (benei temutah) refers to those under death sentence. This liberation imagery points to Christ's ministry of releasing captives (Luke 4:18-19) and ultimately delivering believers from sin's condemnation and death's power. The Reformed understanding of humanity's bondage to sin recognizes that all people are prisoners needing divine liberation, which comes only through Christ's atoning work.