Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 102:19
For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;
19. Because he hath looked down hath beheld] In answer to the prayer of Isa 63:15. Cp. also Deu 26:15; Psa 14:2; Psa 33:13. This verse is related to Psa 102:18 as Psa 102:16-17 are to Psa 102:15. The perfect tense denotes what will lie in the past when the time referred to in Psa 102:18 is reached. Jehovah had not yet ‘looked down’ upon His people when the Psalmist was writing; this is clear from Psa 102:13; but He will assuredly do so, and His renewed regard will be the occasion and theme for their thanksgiving.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary – From his high and holy dwelling-place, in heaven. The word here rendered looked down, means, in Kal, to lay upon or over; then, in Niphil, to lie out over anything, to project; and then, to bend forward. It then means to bend or incline forward with an intention to look at anything, as from a window, Gen 26:8. Compare Psa 14:2. See also Psa 85:12, note; 1Pe 1:12, note.
From heaven did the Lord behold the earth – Did he look abroad over all the world.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 19. For he hath looked down] This, with the three following verses, seems to me to contain a glorious prophecy of the incarnation of Christ, and the gathering in of the Jews and the Gentiles to him. The Lord looks down from heaven, and sees the whole earth groaning and travailing in pain; his eye affects his heart, and he purposes their salvation.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
He hath looked down, to wit, upon us, not like an idle spectator, but with an eye of pity and relief, as the next verse declares.
From the height of his sanctuary; from his higher or upper sanctuary, to wit, heaven, as the next clause explains it, which is called Gods high and holy place, Isa 57:15.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
19-22. Foror, “That,”as introducing the statement of God’s condescension. A summary ofwhat shall be written.
to loose . . . appointedor,”deliver” them (Ps79:11).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary,…. From heaven, as it is explained in the next clause, which is the Lord’s sanctuary, or holy place, where he dwells, even in the height of it; it is both high and holy, as he himself is; yet he condescends to look down from thence on sinful mortals:
from heaven did the Lord behold the earth; the inhabitants of it, good and bad: it designs the general notice he takes of men and things in a providential way; he beholds the world, that lies in wickedness, and all the wickedness committed in it; and will one day call to an account, and punish for it; he beholds good men, not only with an eye of providence, to take care of them, protect and defend, but with an eye of love, grace, and mercy; he has a special and distinct knowledge of them, and it may here particularly regard the notice he takes of his people, under antichristian tyranny; he sees all the barbarity and cruelty exercised upon them, and will requite it, ere long, to their adversaries, and free them from it, as follows.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
19. For he hath looked down from the high place of his holiness Now the prophet contemplates the deliverance after which he breathes with anxious desire, as if it had been already accomplished. That the malignity of men might not attempt to obscure such a signal blessing of Heaven, he openly and in express terms claims for God his rightful praise; and the people were constrained in many ways to acknowledge therein the divine hand. Long before they were dragged into captivity, this calamity had been foretold, that when it took place the judgment of God might be clearly manifested; and at the same time deliverance had been promised them, and the time specified to be after the lapse of seventy years. The ingratitude of men therefore could not devise or invent any other cause to which to ascribe their return but the mere goodness of God. Accordingly, it is said, that God looked down from heaven, that the Jews might not attribute to the grace and favor of Cyrus the deliverance which evidently proceeded from Heaven. The high place of his holiness or sanctuary is here equivalent to heaven. As the temple, in some parts of Scripture, (Psa 26:8 and Psa 76:2) is called “the habitation of God,” in respect of men, so, that we may not imagine that there is any thing earthly in God, he assigns to himself a dwelling-place in heaven, not because he is shut up there, but that we may seek him above the world.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
19. Looked down Compare Deu 26:15; Isa 63:15. So manifestly was their salvation above all human power and skill. It came directly from Heaven.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
How truly lovely is it to observe, through every part of Scripture, the confirmation of the everlasting love, and unchangeable purposes of Jehovah, concerning redemption! It was this tender look of God from heaven (speaking after the manner of men) which prompted the infinite mind of God, our Father, to raise up a Saviour, and a Great One; and to send his Son to be the Saviour of the world. Compare Isa_19:20; Isa_61:1-3 ; with Luk 4:18-19 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 102:19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;
Ver. 19. For he hath looked down from the height, &c. ] This is no small condescension, since he abaseth himself to look upon things in heaven, Psa 113:6 .
From heaven did the Lord behold the earth
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the height of His sanctuary = His holy height.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
For he: Psa 14:2, Psa 33:13, Psa 33:14, Deu 26:15, 1Ki 8:39, 1Ki 8:43, 2Ch 16:9
the height: Job 22:12, Heb 8:1, Heb 8:2, Heb 9:23, Heb 9:24
Reciprocal: Deu 26:7 – looked Psa 53:2 – looked Psa 74:21 – O let not Isa 63:15 – down Jer 31:18 – surely Jer 51:10 – let us Lam 3:50 – General Eze 34:10 – for I will Zec 9:11 – I have
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 102:19-22. For he hath looked down Namely, upon us, and not as an idle spectator, but with an eye of pity and relief; from the height of his sanctuary From his higher or upper sanctuary, namely, heaven, as the next clause explains it, which is called, Gods high and holy place, Isa 57:15. To loose those that are appointed to death To release his poor captives out of Babylon, and, which is more, to deliver mankind from the chains and fetters of sin and Satan, and from eternal destruction. To declare the name of the Lord, &c. That they, being delivered, might publish and celebrate the name and praises of God in his church. When the people are gathered together, &c. When the Gentiles shall gather themselves to the Jews, and join with them in the praise and worship of the true God, and of the Messiah. This verse seems to be added to intimate, that although the psalmist, in this Psalm, referred to the deliverance of the Jews out of Babylon, yet he had a further design, and a principal respect unto that great and more general deliverance of his church and people by Christ.