Hope in Great Pain
The Scriptures tell us that our lives on this earth are few; and that every person will, at times, face some suffering and anxiety in their circumstances. What can we do in light of our frailty and the wickedness around us? This Psalm gives us the answer: trust and hope in YHWH.
The psalmist begins by crying out to the Lord, asking Him to hear his prayer for help (1-2). His days are marked by great physical and emotional distress; and he urgently needs the Lord’s grace. He recounts his physical ailments that have sapped his strength and left him weary (3). He honestly says that his will to live is fading (3-4). He is out of sorts, and He finds no relief from his situation (5-7). His life is full of tears (8-9). He feels that God has cast him away and his hard circumstances just seem to drag on (10-11). Brethren, the psalmist is in a desperate state. He is experiencing great physical and emotional pain that cannot he cannot explain. He dies not know why his life is so troubled.
Considering this fact, he transitions to focus on God. He begins by reminding himself of the character of God. He is eternal and His reputation is great (12). He then reminds himself of God’s promises to exalt the nation of Israel and rule over the earth. Then, all the world will fear Him and exalt Him (13-22).
Even if God does not heal his weakened body, the psalmist will continue to hope in the Lord (23-28). YHWH, his hope, does not change and does not perish like the ungodly of this world (25-27). It is because of God’s character that this psalmist, and all believers, can have hope for the future (28).