Prepared for Psalms Group on Sunday, July 19, 2020
“Comfort Even When There Is No Assurance” is the title of Marva Dawn’s chapter on Psalm 39 in I’m Lonely, Lord—HOW LONG? To introduce this psalm, she shares a friend’s statement of trust in God: “I just believe that God is still in control and that he will bring good out of all things.” The friend, as it turns out, is a quadriplegic who was paralyzed by an automobile accident. (Dawn, p. 139)
A Stranger to Life and an Alien With God
What Is the Measure of My Days?
This is an individual lament.
More than 1/3 of the Psalms fall into the category of complaints to God in situations of limitation or threat. These laments were a form of prayer and praise based on the conviction that God is concerned about people and answers the human cry in ways surpassing human expectation or understanding. Israel’s laments out of distress were a way of praising God even when he seemed absent. The faith of the psalmists is founded on the good news that God intervenes in desperate situations to help those who are distressed. The psalmists share a deep confidence that God is compassionate, concerned, hearing his people and involved with them; God is faithful and trustworthy. A lament is an outcry to God from a responsive heart. Laments came from individuals or from the community.
Examples: Psalms 3-5, 22, 27:7-14, 42, 51, 69, 90, 130, 137 and many others
James 4:7-17
Note that the verse numbering in the New Coverdale version below differs from the ESV.
To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
39
Dixi, Custodiam
1 I said, “I will take heed to my ways, *
that I may not offend with my tongue.
2 I will keep my mouth as with a bridle *
while the ungodly are in my sight.”
3 I held my tongue and spoke nothing; *
I kept silence, even from good words; but it was pain and grief to me.
4 My heart was hot within me, and while I was thus pondering the fire kindled, *
and at the last I spoke with my tongue:
5 “Lord, let me know my end and the number of my days, *
that I may learn how short my life is.
6 Behold, you have made my days as a span in length, *
and my age is even as nothing before you; and truly, everyone living is but a breath.
7 For everyone walks about as a shadow, and disquiets himself in vain; *
he heaps up riches and cannot tell who shall gather them.
8 And now, Lord, what is my hope? *
Truly, my hope is in you.
9 Deliver me from all my offenses, *
and make me not a taunt of the foolish.
10 I became mute and opened not my mouth, *
for it was you that brought it to pass.
11Take your affliction from me; *
I am consumed by the blows of your heavy hand.
12 When you, with rebukes, chasten someone for sin, you consume what is dear to him, like a moth eating a garment; *
everyone therefore is but vanity.
13 Hear my prayer, O Lord, and with your ears consider my cry; *
hold not your peace at my tears.
14For I am a stranger with you, *
and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
15O turn your gaze from me, that I may again be glad, *
before I go away to be seen no more.”