True despair. The psalmist is in a horrible place. Such woe in this psalm. It is a bit of a contrast to some of the others thus far, yet the cry out to God for rescue is not new. The psalmist is clearly struggling and suffering, yet through it all is waiting on God, knowing God is listening. If my body were failing or physically challenged like is described, I think this psalm would really strike a chord with me.
We probably have experienced, at one time or another, severe debilitating pain, and if not us, someone close to us. When we are “racked with pain” it is hard to do the things you need to do. As our bodies are screaming out in pain, it is all we can do to push through the pain to get through the day. Our psalmist is ascribing his pain and misery to his sin, and adds grief to his list of calamities. Our psalmist is repenting of his sins here, convinced that his sin has made him sick, diseased and separated from his loved ones and even God. He repents and seeks God asking that he not be abandoned. We, too, in times of struggle look around and ask God to rescue us. I’m just not sure I’ve ever thought it was my sin that caused my struggle. But as I look back at those times in my life when I was really struggling, I can see clearly now that I was in that situation because of sinful behaviors. Very interesting.
In what ways do you struggle? Are you struggling now with something that needs God’s intervention. Consider these situations and take them to God.
Let’s pray. Lord God, you know that my struggle is trying to do it all in my own strength. I know better, God, so forgive me. I may not be crushed with pain or have an anguished heart, but I need you Lord. I need your help in getting my daily tasks done, in cleansing my heart from impure thoughts, for restoring my love and passion for life. Refresh mem, use, me and forgive me for my selfish heart. I love you Lord. Amen.
This is a little bit longer psalm, but there are so many nuggets here. I don’t know about you, but I underline favorite passages in my Bible, write notes, make asterisks, and even use highlighter. Then as I read the passage over and over, I can see what spoke to me on a previous occasion. I always love when I find pen notes surrounding a certain verse. This psalm has lots of notations!
This psalm starts out with a very descriptive glimpse at the wicked, who they are, what makes them tick, etc. Do we sometimes fall into that category? I’d like to think if I do, it’s by accident more than by intention.
Here we go again! The psalmist is really focused on needing God to rescue him, wanting revenge on the opposition, and feeling a bit overwhelmed or perhaps forgotten. How often, when we are bullied, do we wish for retaliation on our bully? If not us being bullied directly, when we see unfairness around us, how do we feel toward those causing the injustice. We don’t often feel the strength to do it ourselves, just as the psalmist, he is calling on God to oppose, block, humiliate, disgrace, turn them back, make their path dark and slippery, etc.
I was really taken today by the form of this psalm and how each verse seemed to have an echo of meaning in it between thoughts. Some were almost like “here’s another way to say it” and others were like “or this is what I mean”. In any event, I thought it was clever and put together. The theme, too, was clear – praise–>fear–>trust in the Lord, he will take care of you.
