Psalm 88 is the darkest and saddest psalm in all the Psalter. In this song of lament, Heman the psalmist pleads with God for deliverance from his suffering, questions God in the midst of his suffering, and clings to God despite his suffering. The psalm ends in darkness, where Heman seemingly lived with no resolution or apparent hope. This darkness points to the suffering and death that Jesus Christ would taste for us, from which the hope of the kingdom to come will bring ultimate salvation!
What are you to do when you feel like you are wandering in a wilderness? I think Psalm 23 can provide comfort to the wandering soul. To the one who feels the pressures of life, Psalm 23 is a gentle reminder of the faithfulness of God. If you are walking through the valley of the shadow of death (v. 4), let this Psalm sing to your soul.
The question, how long? is not unusual in the pages of Scripture. As we read in Psalm 6, the question can be asked when a person goes through pain. In the New Testament, Christians ask the question about the return of Christ. How Long, O Lord until you return? How long until you return and take away all the pain and tears? How long until we can see your face, O Lord? With Psalm 6 in view, we explore the question, how long, O Lord?
God is less concerned with taking away your pain and suffering but He meets you in your pain and suffering. In a world of brokenness, suffering, and pain God is faithful to draw close to you as you draw close to him. If you are a child of God, God hears your cry for help. He sees the tears. He is near.