.jpg)
Song: No Tears In Heaven
Scripture: Psalm 88
The eighty-eighth psalm is the most pessimistic of all the psalms. In every other mournful psalm, which scholars have appropriately labelled laments, the psalmist expresses some anticipation of being heard, some satisfaction that God will answer.
Not this one. From start to finish, the psalmist bewails his dismal condition. It’s a Jonah day for him. It’s black and getting blacker all the time. God has afflicted him and there does not seem to be much sign of Him letting up any time soon.
In spite of the despairing tone of this prayer, it should be noted that his complaint was not addressed to his neighbor. He was not inviting others to come join a pity party in his honor. No sir, the complaint of this man was addressed to God. However disconsolate his expressions, however dejected his phraseology, this was a prayer to God. The mere fact that he prayed without a “lover” or “friend” nearby is an indication that he believed that God would hear and answer.
There is no harm in questioning. Job did. And God answered. The psalmist did. And he believed God would hear. What wins no sympathy with God or men is when men just murmur like Israel in the wilderness. But when men address their complaints secretly to God, God who sees in secret will answer them openly.
Jason Moore
