Question: Could you please interpret the meaning of Psalm 102? I was told to read Matthew 5:1-12 and Ecclesiastes 1 and 3. I truly would like to know your thoughts.

Question: Could you please interpret the meaning of Psalm 102? I was told to read Matthew:5:1-12 [1] And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: [2] And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, [3] Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [4] Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. [5] Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. [6] Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. [7] Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. [8] Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. [9] Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. [10] Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [11] Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. [12] Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
See All... and Ecclesiastes 1 and 3. I truly would like to know your thoughts.

Response: Psalm 102 is titled "A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the Lord." We may each, Jew or Gentile, apply it to ourselves. However, it is primarily about Israel, the affliction she has endured through the centuries because of her rebellion against the Lord, the hope of her restoration, and the Messiah's Millennial reign from Jerusalem.

Matthew:5:1-12 [1] And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: [2] And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, [3] Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [4] Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. [5] Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. [6] Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. [7] Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. [8] Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. [9] Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. [10] Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [11] Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. [12] Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
See All..., of course, is a practical guide to Christian living here and now-but in view of the coming kingdom. The relationship to Psalm 102 should be clear. Ecclesiastes 1 and Ecclesiastes 3 take a different approach. The key phrase in Ecclesiastes is "under the sun." If that is forgotten, one could imagine that death is the end of existence and we should get all we can out of this life, living for self to the max. Of course, the message is the exact opposite: that life "under the sun" has nothing lasting to offer, for all is "vanity and vexation of spirit."

Solomon brings it all together in the last two verses: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments....For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil" (Ecclesiastes:12:13-14 [13] Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. [14] For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
See All...).

I think you can see how all of these scriptures tie together.