The entire Bible can be read as a book about God’s response to human suffering. Many of the song lyrics in the Bible describe the composer’s pain, insecurity, fear, anxiety as well as confidence in the Lord for an abundant victory.
The composer of Bible songs cried out loud to God. He did not sing softly. He boldly made his supplications to the Lord. He poured out his complaints to God. He listed his troubles. He was overwhelmed. His enemies laid traps for him. He felt that no one cared for his soul. He felt like he was an invisible man!
He told the Lord of his low estate, and of the strength of his persecutors. He wanted the Lord to free his soul from its unpleasant imprisonment.
The upside of his life was the Lord. The Lord was aware of him. The Lord knew the path he walked. The Lord was his place of refuge. His safe place! The Lord was his portion. God filled the gaps left behind by disappointments. The Lord delivered him. He praised the Lord. The Lord replaced bad company with people who honored God.
The Psalmist ended his song on a high note. Thanks to His confidence in the Lord’s love for him, he said to the Lord, “You shall deal bountifully with me.”
“I cry out to the Lord with my voice;
With my voice to the Lord I make my supplication.
I pour out my complaint before Him;
I declare before Him my trouble.
When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,
Then You knew my path.
In the way in which I walk
They have secretly set a snare for me.
Look on my right hand and see,
For there is no one who acknowledges me;
Refuge has failed me;
No one cares for my soul.
I cried out to You, O Lord:
I said, ‘You are my refuge,
My portion in the land of the living.’
Attend to my cry,
For I am brought very low;
Deliver me from my persecutors,
For they are stronger than I.
Bring my soul out of prison,
That I may praise Your name;
The righteous shall surround me,
For You shall deal bountifully with me.”
Psalm 142
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