Psalm 102:13-17
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This isn't just a general statement about God's mercy; it's a profound reminder that God's timing is deliberate and specific. The phrase "the set time" emphasizes that a particular, appointed moment had arrived for His intervention, suggesting a divine schedule beyond human perception. This implies that even in desolate times, God is working towards a divinely ordained season of favor and restoration.
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. For the LORD builds up Zion; he appears in his glory; he regards the prayer of the destitute and does not despise their prayer.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist, deeply troubled by Israel's desolation and exile in Babylon, cries out to God in his distress, feeling abandoned and forgotten. He contrasts his own fleeting existence with God's eternal nature, and then shifts to a hopeful assurance that God will indeed intervene for Zion. This verse marks a turning point, as the psalmist expresses faith that the appointed time for God's favor and restoration, likely the end of the seventy-year exile prophesied by Jeremiah, has finally arrived.
When things feel hopelessly stuck, we often feel like God is distant or asleep. This verse paints a different picture, showing God actively intervening.
The psalmist declares, 'You will arise and have pity on Zion.' The phrase 'you will arise' is powerful. It suggests that God, though perhaps seeming inactive, is about to spring into action. It’s like a king rising from his throne to address a pressing matter, or a warrior preparing for battle. This 'arising' isn't about God changing, but about His power and intention becoming visibly manifest for His people. This action is motivated by 'pity' or mercy, a deep, heartfelt compassion for Zion, which represents not just the city, but God's people in their distress.
The verse emphasizes that it's not just any time, but a specific, 'appointed' or 'set' time for God's favor.
The phrase 'the time to favor her, yea, the set time, has come' speaks to God's perfect timing. This isn't a random intervention, but the fulfillment of a divine plan. The commentaries point to specific prophecies, like Jeremiah's prediction of a seventy-year exile. This 'set time' signifies that God's plans are unfolding according to His schedule, not ours. It’s a reminder that even in long periods of suffering or waiting, God is working towards a predetermined moment of deliverance and restoration.
Understand the original words
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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.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal name of the God of the covenant, representing His self-existence, faithfulness, and redemptive relationship with His people. It is the name by which He revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush.
Tsiyyon · Hebrew Proper Noun
Originally a Jebusite fortress, it became the 'City of David' and the mountain where the Temple was built. Symbolically, it represents the dwelling place of God, the center of worship, and the future hope of God's kingdom and city.
kabod · Hebrew Noun
The manifestation of God's presence, majesty, character, and power. It refers to the radiance of His divine nature, often associated with light, fire, or the holiness that surrounds His throne.
ar'ar · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
Describes one who is lacking, impoverished, or stripped of resources. Biblically, it refers to those who have no earthly help and must rely entirely upon God for sustenance and deliverance.
panah · Hebrew Verb
To look upon, pay attention to, or give regard to. It implies an active, compassionate notice taken by God toward the prayers and circumstances of His people.
This psalm speaks from the perspective of the Babylonian exile, anticipating the divinely appointed time for God's favor and restoration of Zion, which came with Cyrus's decree and the subsequent return and rebuilding.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon begins deporting Jewish leaders and skilled workers to Babylon, marking the start of the exile and the diminishing of Jerusalem's prominence.
c. 587-586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, exiling most of the remaining population to Babylon. This event devastates the Judean people and leaves Zion in ruins.
c. 539 BC
Fall of Babylon
The Persian Empire, led by Cyrus the Great, conquers Babylon. This sets the stage for the eventual return of the Jewish exiles.
c. 538 BC— this verse
Cyrus's Edict of Return
Cyrus issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Judah and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, fulfilling prophecies and ending the Babylonian captivity.
c. 516 BC
Completion of the Second Temple
The rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem is completed, symbolizing the restoration of worship and a step towards national renewal for the returning exiles.
This passage directly echoes the sentiment of God arising to comfort His people, announcing that their time of hardship is over and a new era of favor has begun.
Jeremiah 29:10This verse speaks to the 'set time' mentioned in Psalms 102:13, specifically referring to the fulfillment of the seventy-year exile, after which God promised to restore His people to Jerusalem.
Daniel 9:2Daniel's prayer is directly informed by Jeremiah's prophecy and the understanding that a 'set time' for restoration was approaching, highlighting the anticipation for God's favor on Zion.
Zechariah 1:12This verse shows a similar plea for God's mercy on Jerusalem, referencing 'seventy years' of divine anger and expressing hope for God to 'have pity' and 'return' to the city.
Luke 21:24Jesus speaks of a future time when Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, but 'until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled,' pointing to a divinely appointed time for restoration and favor.
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 isn't just a general statement about God's mercy; it's a profound reminder that God's timing is deliberate and specific. The phrase "the set time" emphasizes that a particular, appointed moment had arrived for His intervention, suggesting a divine schedule beyond human perception. This implies that even in desolate times, God is working towards a divinely ordained season of favor and restoration.
The psalmist, deeply troubled by Israel's desolation and exile in Babylon, cries out to God in his distress, feeling abandoned and forgotten. He contrasts his own fleeting existence with God's eternal nature, and then shifts to a hopeful assurance that God will indeed intervene for Zion. This verse marks a turning point, as the psalmist expresses faith that the appointed time for God's favor and restoration, likely the end of the seventy-year exile prophesied by Jeremiah, has finally arrived.
The psalmist, deeply troubled by Israel's desolation and exile in Babylon, cries out to God in his distress, feeling abandoned and forgotten. He contrasts his own fleeting existence with God's eternal nature, and then shifts to a hopeful assurance that God will indeed intervene for Zion. This verse marks a turning point, as the psalmist expresses faith that the appointed time for God's favor and restoration, likely the end of the seventy-year exile prophesied by Jeremiah, has finally arrived.
"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 isn't just a general statement about God's mercy; it's a profound reminder that God's timing is deliberate and specific. The phrase "the set time" emphasizes that a particular, appointed moment…
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Last reviewed October 2026
