Psalms 102:20 (KJV)

What does Psalms 102:20 mean?

Psalms 102:20 describes God listening to the cries of those imprisoned and setting free people who are facing death. The verse highlights God's attention to suffering and His power to rescue those in desperate situations.

The psalm is a prayer from someone deeply afflicted, speaking to God about His compassion for the most desperate—prisoners and those condemned to die. The verse fits within a larger plea for God to notice and act on behalf of the suffering, showing that God’s care extends even to those society has forgotten or written off.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 102:20

• "hear" (שָׁמַע, shamaʿ): This word means more than just listening; it often includes the idea of responding or acting on what is heard. Here, it shows God is not just aware of suffering but is moved to intervene.
• "groaning" (אֲנָחָה, 'anachah): This word refers to deep sighs or moans of pain, emphasizing the intensity of the prisoners’ suffering.
• "prisoner" (אָסִיר, asir): This term points to someone physically bound or captive, underlining the real, not just figurative, distress.
• "loose" (פָּתַח, pathach): This word means to open or set free, highlighting the action of releasing someone from bondage.
• "appointed" (בֵּן, ben): Literally "son," but often used in Hebrew to mean someone belonging to a certain group—in this case, those destined for death.
• "death" (תְּמוּתָה, temuthah): This word is straightforward, meaning death or dying, marking the seriousness of the situation for those being freed.

Why Psalms 102:20 matters

• Psalms 102:20 makes clear that God is attentive to the most desperate cries, not just the prayers of the powerful or righteous.
• The verse emphasizes that God’s rescue is not limited by human boundaries—He can reach those in prison or on the brink of death.
• This verse connects to the larger theme of Psalms 102, where the psalmist pleads for God’s intervention in times of deep distress, showing that God’s compassion is a central hope for the suffering.