Psalms 102:9,10 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

I have eaten ashes like bread That is, instead of eating my bread, I have laid down in dust and ashes. Or, dust and ashes are as constant and familiar to me as the eating of my bread; I cover my head with them; I sit, yea, lie down among them, as mourners often did, by which means the ashes might easily be mingled with their meat as tears were with their drink, as mentioned in the next clause. And mingled my drink, &c. He alludes to the custom of mingling their wine with water. Because of thy indignation, &c. Because I not only conflict with men, but with the Almighty God, and with his anger. For thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down As a man lifts up a person or thing as high as he can, that he may cast it down to the ground with greater force. Or, he aggravates his present reproach and misery by the consideration of that great honour and happiness to which God had formerly advanced him, as Job did, chap. 29., 30., and the church, Lamentations 1:7.