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1
A Picture of Pervasive Grief
Commentators explain that eating ashes and drinking tears are powerful metaphors for a sorrow that infiltrates every part of life. Whether taken literally (mourning in sackcloth and ashes) or figuratively, the point is the same: the psalmist's grief is so profound that it taints even the basic acts of eating and drinking, offering no respite.
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Psalms
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Commentaries
7
Albert Barnes
On Psalms 102:9
18th Century
Theologian
For I have eaten ashes like bread - I have seated myself in ashes in my grief (Job 42:6; Isaiah 58:5; [Refe…
Charles Ellicott
On Psalms 102:9
19th Century
Bishop
Ashes like bread. —Lamentations 3:16. A figurative expression, like dust shall be the serpent’s meat ([Refere…
Charles Spurgeon
On Psalm 102:9–11
19th Century
Preacher
For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping, because of your indignation and your wrath: for you have lifted me up, an…
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John Calvin
On Psalms 102:9
16th Century
Theologian
For I have eaten ashes like bread. Some think that the order is inverted here, and that the letter כ, caph, the sign of compariso…
John Gill
On Psalms 102:9
17th Century
Pastor
For I have eaten ashes like bread
He sitting in ashes, as Job did, and rolling himself in them in the manner of mour…
Matthew Henry
On Psalms 102:1–11
17th Century
Minister
The whole word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; but here, as often elsewhere, the Holy Spirit has put words into our mouths. Here is a pray…