Psalms 102:24
I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.
Original Language Analysis
אֵלִ֗י
O my God
H410
אֵלִ֗י
O my God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
2 of 9
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
אַֽל
H408
אַֽל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
3 of 9
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תַּ֭עֲלֵנִי
take me not away
H5927
תַּ֭עֲלֵנִי
take me not away
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
4 of 9
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
יָמָ֑י
of my days
H3117
יָמָ֑י
of my days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
6 of 9
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
דּוֹרִ֣ים
are throughout all
H1755
דּוֹרִ֣ים
are throughout all
Strong's:
H1755
Word #:
7 of 9
properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling
Cross References
Psalms 39:13O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.Psalms 102:12But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.Habakkuk 1:12Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction.Revelation 1:8I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Historical Context
Ancient Israelites generally viewed long life as a divine blessing and reward for righteousness (Exod 20:12, Ps 91:16). Premature death suggested possible divine judgment, making the psalmist's plea for extended life a request for vindication.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's eternality comfort you when facing mortality?
- What legacy do you hope to leave that reflects God's unchanging character?
Analysis & Commentary
The plea 'take me not away in the midst of my days' expresses urgent desire for life extension, grounded in God's eternality. 'Thy years are throughout all generations' contrasts divine permanence with human transience. This appeal to God's eternal nature as basis for mercy demonstrates mature faith—God's unchanging character guarantees His faithfulness. The Reformed doctrine of God's immutability assures believers that He remains constant despite changing circumstances. Christ's resurrection demonstrates that God's eternal purposes triumph over death.