Psalm 102:13-15
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse reveals God's faithfulness, not just to deliver Zion, but to intervene at the appointed moment. The phrase "the set time" emphasizes that God's mercy isn't haphazard; it unfolds according to His perfect, unchangeable schedule, even when it feels like forever to those suffering.
You will arise and have pity on Zion; it is the time to favor her; the appointed time has come. For your servants hold her stones dear and have pity on her dust. Nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalm opens with a cry of deep personal distress and desolation, but quickly broadens to encompass the utter ruin of Zion, God's chosen city. The psalmist, feeling abandoned and weak, contrasts his own frailty with God's eternal nature, before declaring with confident hope that God will indeed intervene. This verse marks a turning point, shifting from lament to assurance that God's promised time of restoration and favor for Jerusalem is finally at hand.
When things seem stuck, we might feel like God is distant. But sometimes, God's 'arising' isn't about a sudden change in His presence, but a change in how He acts.
The phrase 'You will arise' isn't about God waking up or becoming present. He is always present! Instead, it signifies God actively intervening in a situation.
Moving From Inaction to Intervention
Think of it like a judge who has been observing a case. They 'arise' from their seat not because they just arrived, but to deliver a verdict and enact justice. Similarly, when God 'arises,' it means He is stepping into the scene to bring about His promised deliverance and mercy.
This 'arising' is a powerful picture of God's commitment to act on behalf of His people, especially when they are in deep distress and feel forgotten.
We often live by subjective feelings – 'it feels like forever!' But this verse points to a divine timetable that is absolutely certain.
The repeated phrase 'the time to favor her; yea, the set time, is come' emphasizes that God operates on His own perfect schedule.
God's Divine Calendar
Commentaries suggest this 'set time' likely refers to the end of the 70-year Babylonian exile prophesied by Jeremiah. Even though the suffering was long and painful, God had a fixed end point.
This isn't just about historical prophecy. It assures us that God has appointed times for His purposes to be fulfilled. When His 'set time' arrives, His favor and action are guaranteed, regardless of how dire the circumstances may seem.
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
tsiyyon · Hebrew Proper Noun
A city physically located in Jerusalem, but theologically representing the dwelling place of God, the center of worship, and the ultimate hope for the restoration of God’s people.
chanan · Hebrew Verb/Noun
In biblical context, God's favor (or grace) is His unmerited kindness, gracious attention, and active goodwill directed toward His people to rescue, restore, or bless them.
mo'ed · Hebrew Noun
Refers to a specific, God-ordained moment in history when He intervenes to fulfill His promises, enact justice, or bring deliverance to His covenant people.
avadekha · Hebrew Noun
Those who belong to God, serving Him with devotion and obedience; it signifies a relationship of submission to His authority and commitment to His purposes.
yara · Hebrew Verb
To experience deep reverence, awe, and submission before the majesty and holiness of God; it is the appropriate response of a creature to the Creator.
shem · Hebrew Noun
The character, reputation, authority, and presence of God; to know His name is to know His true nature and to stand in awe of His divine identity.
kabod · Hebrew Noun
The visible or manifest presence and splendor of God; it refers to the weight, beauty, and incomparable majesty of His divine essence that demands recognition from all creation.
This psalm speaks with profound hope from the depths of exile, not just wishing for deliverance, but proclaiming it as an imminent reality. It hinges on God's faithfulness to His promise regarding the seventy-year exile, a specific period prophesied by Jeremiah and Daniel, and fulfilled by the decree of Cyrus.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar conquers Jerusalem, taking captives, including members of the royal family and elite, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
587/586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling most of the remaining population to Babylon. This event plunges the people of God into deep mourning and despair.
c. 539 BC
Fall of Babylon
The Persian Empire, under Cyrus the Great, conquers Babylon. This political shift creates an opportunity for the Jewish exiles to return home.
538 BC— this verse
Edict of Cyrus
Cyrus the Great issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This marks the end of the 70-year exile predicted by Jeremiah.
516 BC
Rebuilding of the Second Temple
After facing numerous challenges, the returning exiles complete the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, a pivotal moment in their restoration.
This passage directly speaks to the 'set time' mentioned in Psalms 102:13, revealing that God's people would be restored after seventy years in Babylon, showing God's faithfulness to appointed times.
Isaiah 40:2This verse echoes the sentiment of God 'arising' to comfort and restore Zion, speaking of a time when her warfare is ended and her iniquity pardoned, aligning with the promise of God's favor.
Daniel 9:2Daniel's prayer reflects his understanding of the 'set time' for Jerusalem's restoration as prophesied by Jeremiah, demonstrating how the people of God recognized and anticipated these appointed times for divine intervention.
Luke 21:24This New Testament passage speaks of Jerusalem being trodden down by Gentiles until the 'times of the Gentiles' are fulfilled, showing a continuation of the theme of appointed times for both judgment and restoration related to Jerusalem.
Revelation 11:15This passage describes the moment when 'the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ,' signifying a future fulfillment of God's ultimate reign and favor over His people and His dwelling place.
clarkePsalms 102:13: "Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come."
Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion - While he is humbled at the footstool of mercy, and earnestly praying for mercy, an answer of peace is given; he is assured, not only that they shall be delivered, but that the time of deliverance is at hand. The set time - the seventy years predicted by Jeremiah, was ended; and God gave him to see that he was ever mindful of his promis…
wesleyPsalms 102:13: "Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come."
102:13 The set time - The end of those seventy years which thou hast fixed.
This verse reveals God's faithfulness, not just to deliver Zion, but to intervene at the appointed moment. The phrase "the set time" emphasizes that God's mercy isn't haphazard; it unfolds according to His perfect, unchangeable schedule, even when it feels like forever to those suffering.
The psalm opens with a cry of deep personal distress and desolation, but quickly broadens to encompass the utter ruin of Zion, God's chosen city. The psalmist, feeling abandoned and weak, contrasts his own frailty with God's eternal nature, before declaring with confident hope that God will indeed intervene. This verse marks a turning point, shifting from lament to assurance that God's promised time of restoration and favor for Jerusalem is finally at hand.
The psalm opens with a cry of deep personal distress and desolation, but quickly broadens to encompass the utter ruin of Zion, God's chosen city. The psalmist, feeling abandoned and weak, contrasts his own frailty with God's eternal nature, before declaring with confident hope that God will indeed intervene. This verse marks a turning point, shifting from lament to assurance that God's promised time of restoration and favor for Jerusalem is finally at hand.
"You will arise and have pity on Zion; it is the time to favor her; the appointed time has come. For your servants hold her stones dear and have pity on her dust. Nations will fear the name of the LORD, and a…" — This verse reveals God's faithfulness, not just to deliver Zion, but to intervene at the appointed moment. The phrase "the set time" emphasizes that God's mercy isn't haphazard; it unfolds accord…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
