Wednesday, July 3 – Psalms 81, 88

Where is David emotionally when he writes Psalm 88? (Psalms 88:6)

Commentary and Reflection:

Regarding Psalm 81, the Adventist Bible Commentary states, “Psalm 81 is a festal hymn presumably composed for use at one of the great Hebrew festivals — probably the Passover or the Feast of Tabernacles. It begins with a joyful summons to join in the worship of the festival (vs. 1-5), and then proceeds to present the significance of the festival by reviewing God’s relationship to Israel in the past and expostulating with His people, urging them to walk in His ways (vs. 6-1 6). In the first part of the psalm, the psalmist speaks; in the second part, God addresses the people and claims obedience in the light of past blessings, and promises future blessings as the result of obedience. In modern synagogue ritual Ps. 81 is sung on the Jewish New Year’s Day.” (SDABC, Introduction to Psalm 81)

Verse 11 says, “But My people would not heed My voice, And Israel would have none of Me. (Psalms 81:11)

God speaks to us, calls us, admonishes us, but does not force our will. He created us with the ability to decide. If we do not want to listen to Him and reject His voice and will, He allows us to walk in our own ways. “So I gave them over to ^[c]their own stubborn heart, To walk in their own counsels.” (Psalms 81:12)

We would save ourselves many problems and pain if we listened to God’s voice. Psalm 81 describes Israel’s history if they had decided to follow God’s counsel. “Oh, that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways! I would soon subdue their  enemies, And turn My hand against their adversaries. The haters of the Lord would  pretend submission to Him, But their ^[d]fate would endure forever. He would have fed them also with ^[e]the finest of wheat; And with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you.” (Psalms 81:13-16)

Let us decide to pay attention to God and love Him with all our hearts.

“Ps. 88 has been called the most mournful and despondent of the psalms. This psalm, attributed to David (PK 341), was probably composed at a time of most grievous physical and mental suffering. There is in it not a single ray of hope (except in the trustful address: “O Lord God of my salvation”). It is one long wail of undiluted sorrow, concluding with the word “darkness.” David suffers, fears death, prays for relief, but shows no expectation of receiving the answer to his prayer. Nevertheless, he holds serenely on to God and continues to pray in simple faith that God will hear (vs. (verses 1, 2, 9, 13).” (SDABC, Introduction to Psalm 88)

As mentioned before, some of David’s psalms were in the repertoire of another musician, in this case, Heman the Ezrahite, one of the sons of Korah, one of the temple music directors. Sister White, in the book Patriarchs and Prophets, attributes the authorship of Psalm 88 to David.

David writes this psalm in deep depression. The feelings he describes are part of the human experience in times of trial, but David does not stop fighting. He prays day and night, cries out to God, and writes his experience in a psalm that is then sung in the temple. His experience is recorded to serve as an encouragement to others.

As the popular saying goes, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Anyone who saw the warrior David, brave and daring, would not think he harbored fears. At least, in the situation he is in when writing this psalm, he reveals that he has had fears since his youth: ” I have been afflicted and ready to die from my youth; I suffer Your terrors; I am distraught. Your fierce wrath has gone over me; Your terrors have ^[g]cut me off.” (Psalms 88:15, 16)

Despite his fears, David fulfilled God’s missions and purpose. His fears may have led him to depend more on God. If David was afraid, anyone could be, even those who seemed the most fearless. However, fear should not be an excuse, nor should it lead us to failure. We can move forward trusting in God, depending on Him, and leaning, as David did, on His mighty arm.

Depression, fear, and anxiety are part of the human experience in a sinful world. We can surrender these emotions to the Lord as David did.

May the Lord bless you today.

Pastor Abel Paulin