From Sorrow to Singing

When was the last time you cried out, “How long?” Was it another hurtful word or action in an important relationship? Did unexpected bills deplete your savings? Were the medical treatments barely tolerable? Were more hurtful words spoken by someone who didn’t like your leadership? Did your boss once again complain about your style of doing things? Did chronic physical pain interrupt your plans? Sadly, in this broken world everyone cries out, “How long?” especially when they are in the midst of distressing circumstances. But for believers, the cry, “How long?” reaches to the heavens. We can know for certain that God hears our cries and that our suffering has an end. One of the places we learn this truth is in Psalm 13. This psalm, composed by David, helps us pray when our hearts are filled with sorrow, so that we can once again sing to the Lord.

Sorrow

David begins his psalm with a cry, “How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever” (Ps. 13:1). To feel abandoned by the Lord is deeply distressing. David, who likely prayed often for the Lord’s face to shine upon him and God’s people (Num. 6:25), was experiencing what it was like for God’s face to be hidden from him. In his solitaire state he suffered from sorrow of the soul because he felt the enemy had won and God had forsaken him, “How long must I…have sorrow in my heart all the day” and “my enemy be exalted over me?” (Ps. 13:2). But in the pit of sorrow he prayed that the Lord would remember him, reveal Himself to him, and restore him to good spiritual, mental, and emotional health, “answer me, O LORD my God; light up my eyes…lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken” (vv. 3-4).

               Dear believer, if you are shaken by your enemies today—the world, the flesh, and the devil, take up the words of Psalm 13 as your own. It is distressing to feel abandoned by the Lord. But the believer can know for certain that the Lord does not forsake His people, even if it feels that way at times. So how do we move from sorrow to singing? The last part of the psalm answers this question.

Singing

The Lord brings David from the mud to the mountaintop by way of prayer and blessing. By God’s grace David trusted in the Lord’s steadfast love and salvation, singing a new song. “I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me” (Ps. 13:5-6).

               It is only in Christ that God the Father remembers us and calls us His children. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” (1 John 3:1). He also reveals Himself to us through His Son. “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known” (John 1:18). Finally, He restores us to a right relationship with Him through Christ. “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life” (Rom. 5:10).

               It is likely that you have recently cried out, “How long?” The hurtful word or action from your spouse or friend really hurt and has left you shaken. Those unexpected bills that depleted your savings have left you discouraged. The medical diagnosis and treatments have shaken your confidence. Those hurtful words spoken by someone who didn’t like your leadership left you shaking with anger. The boss’s criticism about your style of doing things has left you insecure. The chronic pain has led you to question if you can fulfill normal household duties.                                  Dear believer, when depression and distress come, we can trust in the steadfast love of the Lord. His presence is with us. His promises are true. His protection is secure. And His power is sufficient. We can also rejoice in His salvation. In the middle of trials and tribulations we are not called to rejoice about what is not good. But we can always rejoice in God’s salvation in the midst of circumstances, even when they are unwanted. Finally, we can sing a song of gratitude for God’s graciousness to us in Christ. One of the best ways to move from sorrow in our hearts to singing to the Lord is to thank God for all the blessings that are ours in Christ Jesus (see Eph. 1:3-14).  

Sarah Ivill (ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary) is a Reformed author, wife, homeschooling mom, Bible study teacher, and conference speaker who lives in Matthews, North Carolina, and is a member of Christ Covenant Church (PCA). To learn more, please visit www.sarahivill.com.