The heart speaks a universal language through the medium of music, capturing life’s joys and sorrows. The Bible serves as the music of faith, expressing the spectrum of a believer’s experiences. Just as music carries two distinct melodies, Biblical faith articulates itself in two languages: the language of celebration and the language of lament.
In our era, the language of lament has become a lost dialect. Nevertheless, the Bible’s characters were fluent in this language, and its revival is crucial for the journey of faith. The Psalms of lament give voice to our darkest hours, guiding us through our struggles. Consider Psalm 88, I encourage you to give this powerful lament a read. When you look into this Psalm, you will gain insight into three key aspects of the psalmist’s experience: the psalmist’s condition, the underlying cause of their condition, and how the psalmist responds to their circumstances.
- The Condition of the Psalmist
The psalmist employs three vivid metaphors to depict his profound distress. He stretches language to its limits, attempting to express the anguish within his heart. His heart isn’t just troubled; it’s saturated with troubles. Wave upon wave of distress engulfs him, his soul resounding with sorrow. The psalmist’s words serve as a window into his tormented heart.
- Darkness: He’s not merely in a valley; he’s in the valley’s pit (v. 4). This pit is the deepest, darkest point (v. 6). His soul is cloaked in sorrow, akin to a wet blanket suffocating every breath. He’s besieged, his eyes dim with tears (v. 9). Life’s darkness is all-encompassing, relentless. Despair prevails, a persistent darkness.
- Drowning: He’s tossed in a tumultuous sea, waves violently tossing him about. Wave upon wave crashes, overwhelming him (v. 7, 16). He struggles, gasping for air between each assault. The waves crush him, leaving him on the brink of drowning.
- Death: He likens his condition to death itself. His life nears the grave (v. 3), he’s plunged into the pit (v. 4). He’s weakened, akin to a corpse (v. 4). Forgotten, cut off from God (v. 5). This is more than distance from God; it’s spiritual death.
- The Cause of the Psalmist’s Condition
The psalmist’s distress springs from two primary causes: God’s sovereignty and God’s perceived distance. The text indicates God’s orchestrating hand (v. 6-8, 14-16), underscoring a robust view of His sovereignty. This leads the psalmist to anguish, feeling abandoned by the Sovereign One. The most agonizing aspect is God’s perceived distance.
- The Response of the Psalmist to His Condition
The psalmist’s response is marked by relentless cries and petitions. His lament is persistent and consistent, voicing his anguish day and night (v. 1-2). He petitions God to act, that praise may resound once more (v. 9-12). In his darkest hour, he paradoxically clings to the One who seems to forsake him. His faith, manifested in his lament, paints a vivid picture of raw, honest desperation.
Christ – The Ultimate Expression of Lament
This psalm’s significance finds its fullness in Christ. To overlook Christ’s role is to miss its essence. Just as the Old Testament points toward Jesus, Psalm 88 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Him.
- The Cross: Jesus knew sorrow intimately, being “a man of sorrows” (Isaiah 53). His sorrow climaxed on the cross, where darkness enveloped Him. The brightest hour turned into the darkest, as Jesus experienced the weight of God’s wrath, feeling forsaken. His cry, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” unveils the language of lament at its deepest.
- Sympathetic High Priest: Jesus’ crucifixion saves us from the deepest darkness. His experience of abandonment by God paves the way for our honest relationship with the Father. Christ meets us in our darkness, offering companionship and understanding.
Psalm 100 invites us to celebrate, to approach God with thanksgiving and praise. Conversely, Psalm 88 beckons us to enter His presence with sorrow, voicing our laments. Christ, the embodiment of both these Psalms, offers hope. He rescues us from the darkest pit, makes an intimate relationship with God possible, and meets us in our sorrow. As you traverse life’s dark valleys, remember that God understands your language of lament. Will you seek Him in your darkness?