The Psalms have always been one of my favorite books of the Bible for they authentically express many of the thoughts and emotions that we as humans experience. When I was in seminary the Psalms took on even greater meaning for me. I remember looking at how David (who wrote approximately half of the 150 Psalms) grew up in a home with no voice. He was despised by his brothers (1 Samuel 17:28-29) and forsaken by his parents (Psalm 27:10). When the family held a great feast, David as the youngest is not even invited (1 Samuel 16:11). But in the midst of his loneliness and struggles, David learned to pray. God gave him a voice. These prayers eventually became Israel’s hymnal and were memorized by almost every Jew through their daily singing. The Psalms became Israel’s voice to God for generations. But even more amazing is that David’s voice taught our Lord Jesus how to pray and gave him words to express his deepest emotions during his darkest hour:
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1)
“Into your hands I commit my spirit” (Psalm 31:5).
The apostle Paul encourages us to use the Psalms as a vehicle to give us a voice and to teach us how to pray: “…be filled with the Sprit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:18-19).
So as I read this week’s Psalms, I am reminded of the unpredictability of life and how often we may not understand the circumstances we face. Like the Psalmist, we may feel overwhelmed, experience times of discouragement and grief, feel forgotten, or unable to see a way out. The Psalmist teaches us, however, that we can bring all of these things to God in prayer and in doing so, we will not be disappointed. For as we come to Him, we will experience His faithfulness, tender mercies, and unfailing love. We will come to know Him as our refuge, strength, and protector. And as we trust in the Lord and put our hope in Him alone, we can declare with the Psalmist: “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress” (Psalm 46:11).