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.
During these last few months, the news at all levels—global, national, and local—has been hard, from briefings on shootings to wars to public health crises to the impact of inflation. As I’ve processed all of this, my prayers have been made up of short sentences that carry a myriad of emotions: confusion, anger, grief, uncertainty, and the list goes on. Reading through the book of Psalms has come along at just the right time, as I sit with all that is going on around me.
As we move from the second collection of Psalms to the third, the overall tone changes to one of somberness. The psalms curated in Book III reflect some pretty difficult days in Israel’s history, where the nation’s actions, including David’s descendants, led to judgment from the Lord and oppression from other nations. Although the psalmists do not explicitly name the events, the content of their prayers reveals that they were dealing with some pretty heavy circumstances. Out of these circumstances, the psalmists poured their hearts out to the Lord. This is the case In Psalm 74, as Asaph pleads with God to remember His people.
Remember your congregation, which you purchased long ago and redeemed as the tribe for your own possession. —Psalm 74:2
I can only imagine the timbre of the singer’s voice as he asks God to turn His attention to His people. Or the combination of major and minor keys that may have been accented by vocal growling or moaning to express deep emotions. There’s a lot of emphasis placed on remembrance in this psalm. Obviously, God isn’t being asked to remember because He has physically forgotten some detail or event. Asaph is asking God to turn His attention toward His people and act on their behalf.
“Why do you hold back your hand?” Asaph asks God in verse 11. How bold, and frankly, irreverential this question seems. And yet, it remains in the canon of Scripture, showing us—maybe even challenging us—that we can be completely honest in our communication with the Lord. We can express our disappointment, our wrestling, our grief, and other responses to what’s going on in life. And when we cry out to God, we come to Him from a place of trust, knowing that He, our all-powerful King (Psalm 74:12) is the only One we can turn to.
These psalms have reminded me that God’s presence is a safe space for our prayers. Sometimes they’re moderate and quiet. Sometimes they’re rough and guttural, laden with passion and emotion. Whatever the posture, our God is faithful in listening as we pour out our hearts to Him.
Going through a lot of internal struggle these days. Unhappy and unmotivated with my job, feeling isolated from my friends/family, feeling unfulfilled in general, disappointed that my husband and I are struggling to get pregnant,… the list goes on.
However, I find so much comfort in these Psalms, knowing I can vent to my God who is my Rock, my guide, my fortress. He’s my only source of comfort in times in these. I can’t WAIT for Jesus to come back!
Going through a lot of internal struggle these days. Unhappy and unmotivated with my job, feeling isolated from my friends/family, feeling unfulfilled in general, disappointed that my husband and I are struggling to get pregnant,… the list goes on.
@Heidi V. Yes it was “The Presence of God”
I remember being in basement folding laundry and sobbing after a fight with my husband. I screamed at God that I felt that He was not working in our marriage even though I would pray night and day relentlessly. After that prayer/scream session I had, nothing about my marriage changed immediately but I was filled with a sense of His peace that He saw my meltdown and He wasn’t angry with me, He was compassionate and cared that I was hurting. I then, days later, repented for my angry outburst and what I felt God say never left me, I felt like He was happy that I came to Him with my worries and cares. As if He was saying, “I’m just glad you are here with me, trusting that I’m here with you.” Big picture? He can handle our wild emotions and irrational outbursts. He loves us unconditionally…at our worst and our best. I think it delights God in just recognizing His presence through it all.
Being honest with God often seemed too much for me, that if I was honest in letting Him know that I was angry with Him, that would be wrong. Just writing this, I know how far I’ve come. I remember being in basement folding laundry and sobbing after a fight with my husband. I screamed at God that I felt that He was not working in our marriage even though I would pray night and day relentlessly. After that prayer/scream session I had, nothing about my marriage changed immediately but I was filled with a sense of His peace that He saw my meltdown and He wasn’t angry with me, He was compassionate and cared that I was hurting. I then, days later, repented for my angry outburst and what I felt God say never left me, I felt like He was happy that I came to Him with my worries and cares. As if He was saying, “I’m just glad you are here with me, trusting that I’m here with you.”
This morning I started my time in the word with a 2 year old on my lap, who was up much earlier than normal from a leaky diaper. Instead of lamenting the interruption, I tried something I rarely do: I listened to an audio version of these scriptures! I don’t normally do this as my brain doesn’t take information in auditorily very well. But even if I didn’t get every word, I almost felt washed in it, head to toe. And it’s always a joy when I know my children are bathed in the Word, too! I could definitely feel the mood shift in these passages. I felt saddened for Asaph, and reminded that I can come to God in any mood, and open my heart and soul to Him, without fear of Him getting angry or turning away.
Since leaving social media and any type of news/information platform, my anxiety about “tomorrow” has all but vanished. I am learning to worry only about “today.” It has changed my whole household, as I am no longer weighed down with things I felt were not mine to carry, and my mind is no longer filled with the “prospering of the wicked.” Just the other day, during a car ride, my kids and I began talking about how God always meets the needs of His children. I began telling them all of the ways God had met all our needs, some in truly miraculous ways! They were spellbound – it was almost like a song of thankfulness as I, too, was reminded of how good God is to those He has adopted as Sons and Daughters! I am always amazed when God fills my mouth with His Goodness, and I am able to tell that to my children, even reminding them that our blessings may not look like the world’s idea of success and blessings, but we know in our hearts and home that God is so gracious, kind, and loving beyond our imaginations, even when times are “tough!”
Anyone else remember memorizing Psalm 73:23 a couple years back with SRT? I can see the physical book in my mind but can’t remember the title…. “But as for me, God‘s presence is my good. I have made the Lord God my dwelling place so I may tale of all He does.“……Was it “The presence of God”….?
So relevant to todays world. I felt like I was reading headlines from this mornings newspaper! But God was faithful to the Psalmists and He is faithful to His followers today. Thank you Jesus for the hope you give your people!