We regularly enjoy reading and singing from the book of Psalms to help us rejoice, praise God, celebrate, and give thanks. But not all of the psalms are joyful. In fact, of the 150 psalms, about a third of them are psalms of lament. Written by real people going through real struggles. So they express worry, uncertainty, sadness, and desperation as they sing and cry out to God. Maybe the psalms of the lament are more pertinent to us now than ever, as they echo the feelings we are having. Flip through the book of Psalms and see what kinds you notice. What psalms of worry and lament can you find?
Here is one to read today: Psalm 13
1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.