Chapter: Psalm 88

Laments

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

88

Domine Deus

¹O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before you; *

O let my prayer enter into your presence; incline your ear to my call.

²For my soul is full of trouble, *

and my life draws nigh to the Grave.

³I am counted as one of those who go down into the pit, *

and I have become as one who has no strength.

⁴I have become like the dead, and like the slain who lie in the grave, *

whom you remember no more, and who are cut off from your hand.

⁵You have laid me in the lowest pit, *

in a place of darkness, and in the deep.

⁶Your indignation lies heavy upon me, *

and you have overwhelmed me with all your storms.

⁷You have put my friends far from me, *

and made me to be abhorred by them.

⁸I am in prison; *

I cannot go forth.

⁹My sight fails because of trouble; *

Lord, I have called daily upon you; I have stretched forth my hands unto you.

¹⁰ Do you show wonders among the dead, *

or shall the dead rise up again and praise you?

¹¹ Shall your loving-kindness be shown in the grave, *

or your faithfulness in destruction?

¹² Shall your wondrous works be known in the dark, *

and your righteousness in the land where all things are forgotten?

¹³ Unto you have I cried, O Lord, *

and early shall my prayer come before you.

¹⁴ Lord, why do you cast off my soul *

and hide your face from me?

¹⁵ I am in misery, like one who is at the point of death; *

even from my youth, your terrors have I suffered with a troubled mind.

¹⁶ Your wrathful displeasure goes over me, *

and the fear of you has undone me.

¹⁷ Daily they come round about me like water, *

and encompass me on every side.

¹⁸ My companions and neighbors you have put away from me, *

and hidden my friends out of my sight.