Psalm 102:20, 22 To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;…When the people are gathered together; and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord.
The Lord looked down from heaven to behold the earth to hear the groaning of those in prison and to loose them from death. He also declared His name and His praise when the peoples and the kingdoms are gathered together to serve the Lord. This is a prophecy about the sending of the Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior, to the earth to set free the prisoners of Sin and Death.
God hears the groans and cries of the prisoners of death. That groaning is our response to being imprisoned in death. Our sin has caused this condition. And not only we ourselves, but also the whole Creation groans. “The whole creation has been groaning together…and not only the creation, but we ourselves…groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for…redemption [Romans 8:22-23].” This describes our human condition in this short life: groaning as prisoners waiting to be set free. Jesus accomplished this once for all, but sin and death remains while faith waits.
Because of Christ’s liberation we are free to serve the Lord by loving people. Gladly serving is our grateful response to being set free.