I’ve been spending time recently in the psalms of lament. What a gift: the assurance that we’re not alone in our doubts and fears; the permission to express even our anger toward God; words to pray, and to sing, when tears have taken all our words from us.
Here’s Psalm 13:
1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I bear pain in my soul,
and have sorrow in my heart all day long?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God!
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,
4 and my enemy will say, “I have prevailed”;
my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.
5 But I trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the Lord,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.
Isn’t the turn at verse 5 stunning? We can be overwhelmed by the brokenness of the world around us, by the sorrows of those we love, by our own wounds that refuse to heal…and still, at the same time, we can trust God’s love and sing through our tears.
If, today, you have more questions than answers…
If, today, you wish with all your heart there was more you could do to ease the burdens of those you love…
If, today, you’re seriously wondering whether any of what you’ve held so dear is true…
If, today, you need to know you’re not alone…
…here’s a song for you.
Lament
Hearts don’t heal without you.
Spirits fail without you.
When your face is hidden we are lost.
There’s no hope without you.
There’s no peace without you.
When you’re silent we can’t find our rest.
Come and answer us, O God.
Give light to our eyes, O God.
In the womb you knew us.
From the first you claimed us.
How can you forget your very own?
In this tomb we’re cut off
From the life you give us.
In this grave, we’re frightened and alone.
Come and answer us, O God.
Give light to our eyes, O God.
Still we trust in your love.
Help us cling to your love.
Broken hearts rejoice when you draw near.
In the storm you silence
Waves that rage and threaten.
With a word you calm our deepest fears.
Come and answer us, O God.
Give light to our eyes, O God.
You know all our hurts, O God.
Give us hope and peace, O God.
Free us from this grave, O God.
Give this world your life, O God.
Still we trust in you, O God.
Still we sing your praise, O God.
Even through our tears, O God.
Alleluia! You are God.
You may listen to Lament here: https://soundcloud.com/stacey-nalean-carlson/.