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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 102:9 For I have eaten ashes like bread and mixed my drink with tears</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/102-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/19_Psa_102_009.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 102:9 - The Prayer of the Afflicted" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For I have eaten ashes like bread and mixed my drink with tears" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/102-9.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/102-9.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/102.htm">Chapter 102</a> > Verse 9</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/102-8.htm" title="Psalm 102:8">◄</a> Psalm 102:9 <a href="/psalms/102-10.htm" title="Psalm 102:10">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/102.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/102.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />For I eat ashes as my food and mingle my drink with tears<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/102.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />I eat ashes for food. My tears run down into my drink<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/102.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For I eat ashes like bread and mingle tears with my drink,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/102.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For I have eaten ashes like bread and mixed my drink with tears<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/102.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/102.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For I have eaten ashes like bread, And mingled my drink with weeping,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/102.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For I have eaten ashes like bread, And mixed my drink with weeping<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/102.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For I have eaten ashes like bread And mingled my drink with weeping<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/102.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For I have eaten ashes like bread, And mingled my drink with weeping,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/102.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For I have eaten ashes like bread And mixed my drinks with weeping<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/102.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For I have eaten ashes like bread, And have mingled my drink with tears<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/102.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I eat ashes like bread and mingle my drinks with tears<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/102.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I eat ashes like bread and mingle my drinks with tears <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/102.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For I have eaten ashes like bread, And mingled my drink with weeping,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/102.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Instead of food, I have ashes to eat and tears to drink, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/102.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/102.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I eat ashes like bread and my tears are mixed with my drink<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/102.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />I have eaten ashes as food and mixed my drink with tears<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/102.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For I have eaten ashes like bread and mixed my drink with tears<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/102.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For I eat ashes as if they were bread, and mix my drink with my tears, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/102.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mixed my drink with tears,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/102.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/102.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mixed my drink with tears, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/102.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Because I have eaten ashes as bread, "" And have mingled my drink with weeping,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/102.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Because ashes as bread I have eaten, And my drink with weeping have mingled,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/102.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For I ate ashes as bread, and I mingled my drink with weeping.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/102.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For I did eat ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/102.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 101:10>For I chewed on ashes like bread, and I mixed weeping into my drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/102.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />I eat ashes like bread, mingle my drink with tears. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/102.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For I eat ashes like bread, and mingle tears with my drink,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/102.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/102.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because I have eaten ashes like bread and I have mixed my drink with weeping<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/102.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For I have eaten ashes like bread, And mingled my drink with weeping,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/102.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For I have eaten ashes as it were bread, and mingled my drink with weeping;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/102-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=12524" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/102.htm">The Prayer of the Afflicted</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>All day long my enemies taunt me; they ridicule me and curse me. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: ’ā·ḵā·lə·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">I have eaten</a> <a href="/hebrew/665.htm" title="665: ’ê·p̄er (N-ms) -- Ashes. From an unused root meaning to bestrew; ashes.">ashes</a> <a href="/hebrew/3899.htm" title="3899: kal·le·ḥem (Prep-k, Art:: N-ms) -- Bread, food. From lacham; food, especially bread, or grain.">like bread</a> <a href="/hebrew/4537.htm" title="4537: mā·sā·ḵə·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To mix, produce by mixing. A primitive root; to mix, especially wine.">and mixed</a> <a href="/hebrew/8249.htm" title="8249: wə·šiq·qu·way (Conj-w:: N-mpc:: 1cs) -- A draught. From shaqah; a draught.">my drink</a> <a href="/hebrew/1065.htm" title="1065: biḇ·ḵî (Prep-b:: N-ms) -- A weeping. From bakah; a weeping; by analogy, a dripping.">with tears</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>because of Your indignation and wrath, for You have picked me up and cast me aside.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/30-4.htm">Job 30:4-5</a></span><br />They plucked mallow among the shrubs, and the roots of the broom tree were their food. / They were banished from among men, shouted at like thieves,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-15.htm">Lamentations 3:15-16</a></span><br />He has filled me with bitterness; He has intoxicated me with wormwood. / He has ground my teeth with gravel and trampled me in the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/24-17.htm">Ezekiel 24:17</a></span><br />Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Put on your turban and strap your sandals on your feet; do not cover your lips or eat the bread of mourners.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/24-22.htm">Ezekiel 24:22</a></span><br />Then you will do as I have done: You will not cover your lips or eat the bread of mourners.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/19-4.htm">1 Kings 19:4-5</a></span><br />while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” / Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-20.htm">Isaiah 30:20</a></span><br />The Lord will give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, but your Teacher will no longer hide Himself—with your own eyes you will see Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/15-17.htm">Jeremiah 15:17</a></span><br />I never sat with the band of revelers, nor did I celebrate with them. Because Your hand was on me, I sat alone, for You have filled me with indignation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-15.htm">Jeremiah 9:15</a></span><br />Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I will feed this people wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-15.htm">Jeremiah 23:15</a></span><br />Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says concerning the prophets: “I will feed them wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/42-3.htm">Psalm 42:3</a></span><br />My tears have been my food both day and night, while men ask me all day long, “Where is your God?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/80-5.htm">Psalm 80:5</a></span><br />You fed them with the bread of tears and made them drink the full measure of their tears.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/69-21.htm">Psalm 69:21</a></span><br />They poisoned my food with gall and gave me vinegar to quench my thirst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-34.htm">Matthew 27:34</a></span><br />they offered Him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, He refused to drink it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-48.htm">Matthew 27:48</a></span><br />One of them quickly ran and brought a sponge. He filled it with sour wine, put it on a reed, and held it up for Jesus to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/15-23.htm">Mark 15:23</a></span><br />There they offered Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He did not take it.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping.</p><p class="hdg">I Have</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/69-21.htm">Psalm 69:21</a></b></br> They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/44-20.htm">Isaiah 44:20</a></b></br> He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, <i>Is there</i> not a lie in my right hand?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/3-15.htm">Lamentations 3:15,16</a></b></br> He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood… </p><p class="hdg">mingled</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/42-3.htm">Psalm 42:3</a></b></br> My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where <i>is</i> thy God?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/80-5.htm">Psalm 80:5</a></b></br> Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/3-24.htm">Job 3:24</a></b></br> For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/20-3.htm">Ashes</a> <a href="/psalms/102-4.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/psalms/80-5.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/psalms/90-3.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/psalms/102-4.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/psalms/78-25.htm">Eaten</a> <a href="/psalms/102-4.htm">Food</a> <a href="/genesis/11-7.htm">Mingle</a> <a href="/ezra/9-2.htm">Mingled</a> <a href="/psalms/75-8.htm">Mixed</a> <a href="/psalms/80-5.htm">Tears</a> <a href="/psalms/84-6.htm">Weeping</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/147-16.htm">Ashes</a> <a href="/psalms/104-14.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/psalms/104-11.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/psalms/102-14.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/psalms/105-35.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-17.htm">Eaten</a> <a href="/psalms/104-14.htm">Food</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-22.htm">Mingle</a> <a href="/psalms/106-35.htm">Mingled</a> <a href="/psalms/106-27.htm">Mixed</a> <a href="/psalms/116-8.htm">Tears</a> <a href="/psalms/116-8.htm">Weeping</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 102</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/102-1.htm">The prophet in his prayer makes a grievous complaint.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/102-12.htm">He takes comfort in the eternity, and mercy of God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/102-18.htm">The mercies of God are to be recorded</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/102-23.htm">He sustains his weakness by the unchangeableness of God.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/102.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/102.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For I have eaten ashes like bread</b><br>This phrase reflects deep mourning and distress. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, covering oneself with ashes or sitting in ashes was a common expression of grief and repentance (<a href="/job/2-8.htm">Job 2:8</a>, <a href="/jonah/3-6.htm">Jonah 3:6</a>). Eating ashes symbolizes the depth of the psalmist's sorrow, as if his sustenance is now his grief. This imagery is also reminiscent of the lamentations of Job, who expressed his suffering in similar terms. The use of ashes can also signify a state of humility and penitence before God, acknowledging one's frailty and mortality.<p><b>and mixed my drink with tears</b><br>Tears are a universal symbol of sorrow and lamentation. The psalmist's tears are so abundant that they mix with his drink, indicating continuous weeping and emotional turmoil. This imagery is echoed in other psalms, such as <a href="/psalms/42-3.htm">Psalm 42:3</a>, where tears are described as being the psalmist's food day and night. The mixing of drink with tears can also be seen as a metaphor for the bitterness of life experiences, where even the basic act of drinking is tainted by sorrow. This phrase highlights the psalmist's profound sense of despair and the overwhelming nature of his afflictions.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_psalmist.htm">The Psalmist</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/102.htm">Psalm 102</a>, traditionally believed to be David or another figure experiencing deep personal distress and seeking God's intervention.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/ashes.htm">Ashes</a></b><br>Symbolic of mourning, repentance, and humility in ancient Israelite culture. Ashes were often used in times of grief or penitence.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/tears.htm">Tears</a></b><br>Represent the deep sorrow and emotional pain the Psalmist is experiencing, indicating a period of intense suffering.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/b/bread_and_drink.htm">Bread and Drink</a></b><br>Common sustenance items, here used metaphorically to describe the Psalmist's constant state of mourning and distress.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate source of comfort and hope, to whom the Psalmist directs his lament and plea for help.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_mourning.htm">Understanding Mourning</a></b><br>Recognize that mourning and sorrow are natural human experiences, often used in Scripture to draw us closer to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_ashes.htm">Symbolism of Ashes</a></b><br>Reflect on the use of ashes as a symbol of repentance and humility, encouraging us to approach God with a contrite heart.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_presence_in_suffering.htm">God's Presence in Suffering</a></b><br>Even in the depths of despair, God is present and attentive to our cries, offering comfort and hope.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_lament.htm">The Role of Lament</a></b><br>Lament is a valid and important form of prayer, allowing us to express our deepest emotions to God honestly.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_beyond_tears.htm">Hope Beyond Tears</a></b><br>While tears and sorrow are part of our earthly journey, Scripture assures us of a future where God will bring complete restoration and joy.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_102.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 102</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_meaning_of_'sing_to_the_lord'.htm">What does 'Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/main_themes_of_bible's_books.htm">What are the main themes of the Bible's books?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_james_5_9_with_lament_psalms.htm">In James 5:9, how can believers reconcile the warning against grumbling with other biblical passages that encourage honest lament or complaint (e.g., in the Psalms)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_the_righteous_face_poverty.htm">In Psalm 37:25 ('I have not seen the righteous forsaken'), why do historical records reveal numerous cases where faithful people faced dire poverty or were seemingly abandoned?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/102.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">Ashes like bread.</span>--<a href="/lamentations/3-16.htm" title="He has also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he has covered me with ashes.">Lamentations 3:16</a>. A figurative expression, like "dust shall be the serpent's meat" (<a href="/isaiah/65-25.htm" title="The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, said the LORD.">Isaiah 65:25</a>; comp. <a href="/genesis/3-14.htm" title="And the LORD God said to the serpent, Because you have done this, you are cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; on your belly shall you go, and dust shall you eat all the days of your life:">Genesis 3:14</a>). With the last clause comp. <a href="/psalms/42-3.htm" title="My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say to me, Where is your God?">Psalm 42:3</a>, "tears have been my meat day and night." So too, as an emblem of disappointment, a modern poet:--<p>"But even while I drank the brook, and ate<p>The goodly apples, all these things at once<p>Fell into dust, and I was left alone." . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/102.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For I have eaten ashes like bread;</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span> "the 'ashes' of humiliation have been my food. I have, as it were, fed on them." A literal mingling of ashes with his food is not to be thought cf. <span class="cmt_word">And mingled my drink with weeping (</span>comp. <a href="/psalms/42-3.htm">Psalm 42:3</a>; <a href="/psalms/80-5.htm">Psalm 80:5</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/102-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I have eaten</span><br /><span class="heb">אָכָ֑לְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḵā·lə·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">ashes</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֭פֶר</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·p̄er)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_665.htm">Strong's 665: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ashes</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like bread</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּלֶּ֣חֶם</span> <span class="translit">(kal·le·ḥem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3899.htm">Strong's 3899: </a> </span><span class="str2">Food, bread, grain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and mixed</span><br /><span class="heb">מָסָֽכְתִּי׃</span> <span class="translit">(mā·sā·ḵə·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4537.htm">Strong's 4537: </a> </span><span class="str2">To mix, produce by mixing</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my drink</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֝שִׁקֻּוַ֗י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·šiq·qu·way)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8249.htm">Strong's 8249: </a> </span><span class="str2">A draught</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with tears,</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּבְכִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(biḇ·ḵî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1065.htm">Strong's 1065: </a> </span><span class="str2">A weeping, a dripping</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/102-9.htm">Psalm 102:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/102-9.htm">Psalm 102:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/102-9.htm">Psalm 102:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/102-9.htm">Psalm 102:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/102-9.htm">Psalm 102:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/102-9.htm">Psalm 102:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/102-9.htm">Psalm 102:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/102-9.htm">Psalm 102:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/102-9.htm">Psalm 102:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/102-9.htm">Psalm 102:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/102-9.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 102:9 For I have eaten ashes like bread (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/102-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 102:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 102:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/102-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 102:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 102:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>