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Summer Psalms - On Psalm 39

August 11, 2022

Pray for Illumination - Heavenly Father, help me to know your ways; teach me your paths and lead me into your truth. Amen.

Read Psalm 39

I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin   Psalm 39:1

Often have I tried to “bite my tongue” - not always easy!  Our tendency is to air or vent our grievances. We want others to know how we feel!  Even if we do keep quiet for a time, it only serves the purpose of allowing the problem to grow bigger and “hotter” within us until we cannot keep quiet anymore!

…my anguish increased;
     my heart grew hot within me.
While I meditated, the fire burned;
    then I spoke with my tongue      Psalm 39:3-4

I have been there.  It is amazing how often it only ends with me having to apologize to someone and wishing I kept my mouth shut in the first place.  But rather than venting to other people, the psalmist laments to the Lord.  A lament is a deep longing to be heard by God (see Psalm 39:12 - “hear”, “listen”, “do not be deaf”).

A prayer of lament is an important practice for Christians.  It recognizes that everything in this world and even in our own lives is not good or right.  It allows us the opportunity to give voice to our hurts and grievances without unloading on others in a manner that is not consistent with God’s love.  But it also gives God the opportunity to help us bring things back into perspective:

Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.  Psalm 39:4

Once we have lamented and unloaded the weight that felt heavy within us, we then find ourselves at rest once again with the hope that, alone, comes from God.

But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.   Psalm 39:7

So, the next time you feel like venting your frustrations and hurts…turn to God.  He is big enough to take it all and merciful enough to help you restore a right heart.  And remember that God’s desire for you is not to carry on your shoulders the weight of the world, but rather to be filled with his joy even now.  Praise the Lord!  (see Romans 15:13)