Asking God for Restoration
Open Your Bible
Psalm 79:1-13, Psalm 80:1-19, Psalm 81:1-16, Psalm 82:1-8
BY Rebecca Faires
Book III
While Book III contains threads of hope, it is often labeled as the “dark” book of the Psalter because of its focus on lament.
I love the singing of psalms. I am not a great singer, but I am a very loud singer. I was once in a Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat performance, just absolutely yowling gloriously at the top of my lungs. The director later lovingly encouraged me to moderate my joyful noises. But I think if we’re going to make some noise, we should do it with enthusiasm, and maybe…“play the tambourine” (Psalm 81:2).
Some of us are inclined to make a lot of noise, come rain or shine. My husband is more inclined to think, consider, and hold his tongue. Maybe you are more like that. But psalm singing is something everyone can get behind. There are so many kinds of psalms! There’s a psalm for every emotion.
The Psalms teach us to sing to the Lord on all occasions. It comes pretty easily to sing to Him on wedding days, over the births of new babies, and every Sunday when we gather to worship. But we also sing to Him at funerals, and when the world seems to be ending, and when the floodwaters rise. No matter our circumstances, we can always “Lift up a song” (v.2).
This section of Psalms is about a period of desolation and captivity for Israel. When reading it in times of peace, scholar Matthew Henry suggests we “bless God that we are not thus trampled on and insulted.” Amen. But these psalms are particularly appropriate when we are in hard times ourselves, to teach us where we look for help and encouragement for the Church.
Singing to God in hard times is good for the Church. It underscores our confidence in God’s providence in all circumstances, teaches our hearts to hope continually, and puts scripture in our mouths when words fail us. “Sing for joy to God our strength; shout in triumph to the God of Jacob” (v.1) No matter what is going on in the world, the Church can sing for joy and shout in triumph over the finished work of Christ.
Like the Israelites, when things look bleak, we are continually called to praise the Lord. We praise Him in all circumstances. In our pain, we cry out to Him, “Restore us, God; make your face shine on us, so that we may be saved” (Psalm 80:3). Don’t waste the days of your suffering. These are the days you are most awake to the need of your Savior. Sing His praises when you are in the darkest places.
He is faithful. He was faithful to His people in Israel when these psalms were written. They were not in captivity and desolation forever. He is faithful to His Church today. His face shines on us, even when we are too grieved to notice.
Cry out to Him and sing to Him whether you are having the best or the worst day of your life. And, if you like, do it loudly, and throw in a tambourine!
53 thoughts on "Asking God for Restoration"
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I tried following the link but it wouldn’t work :(
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I have felt this so much the last few weeks—trusting him even when the process isn’t what we ever expected. Walking the journey of infertility and tomorrow is the day for having IUI done and we are putting our faith and hope in him!
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Mia Faith- praying for you and your family.
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Reading Psalm 79 with the details of dead bodies and desolate Jerusalem, I envisioned the Ukraine war, and such a psalm was written in a tragic time like that, and now. A note from my KJV study bible, “this psalm laments the destruction of Jerusalem at the time of Babylonian captivity. The psalm has two distinct parts: expression of lament to God (verse 1 -5) and petition to God for deliverance of His people and retribution on their enemies (verse 6- 13). Three motives for God to act are cited: the misery God’s people are experiencing, the tender mercies of God Himself, the humiliation brought to His name. This psalm was apparently written by eyewitnesses of the desolation of Jerusalem”. Keeping our praise to the Lord is keeping strength. Don’t let circumstances steal your praises to God. Praises have a very strange way to shift our mind from current situation and God hears our praises. Sometimes praises are very prophetic for us, when we praise and proclaim God’s name, it is implying the problems are dealt with, it’s a mission done, as God is outside time, while we are in it. Keep your praises.
@Mia Faith, Sarah D, praying for you dear sisters.
@Searching, thank you for your confirmation on Diana Fleenor. I am glad you also shared the sentiment. 2 years wow I can’t imagine it’s been that long but you are right.
@Tina, thank you for sharing your thoughts. Reading your post made me stop and ponder what lies I have led in all these years. Your post always gave me deep soul searching questions. Praise God for showing you the truth. What an honorable request your dad gave to you to look after your siblings. God is so good. Rejoicing with you Tina. -
Good Afternoon! As usual so many great insights! Praying for those requests! As far as praising and singing
I have to say I have NO problems with that! lol. My radio has stayed on continually with praise music 24//7 in the house, in the car, during my workouts, and shopping for decades! I too LOVE to sing loudly, and not a good singer! I have so many playlists as well it’s crazy- hymnals, current favs, fasting, new favs and even a funeral playlist, hahha. (well, I want them to know what to play! My fav is “I Can Only Imagine (of course!) and “Oh Glorious Day.
“Even If” is playing right now, which is one you all mentioned and a fav as well as “Praise You In The Storm,” and “Tell My Heart To Beat Again.”
Have a good day She’s. Hug’s Dorthy
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Molly R – Thank you for sharing your revelation that we CAN call out to God – day or night. You “ Praised him for his steadfastness, despite my foolish inconsistent faith.” I needed to hear those words today.
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I have another great song to sing in times of trouble, “Yes I Will” by Vertical Worship. Also, Dorothy, I’ll be praying for you today. ❤️
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Lord, teach me to sing Your praises daily. I want to be thankful for You always. Amen
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