psalms expedition 3
Prayers of Lament
Consider and answer me, O Lord my God.
Psalms 13:3a
Lament is a type of prayer where a speaker appeals to God for help to overcome present trauma or calamity.
When we hear the word, lament, we might think of a funeral song (or funeral dirge) that recounts attributes of a deceased loved one and helps us mourn loss, bring closure, and heal. Funeral laments are often accompanied by music or singers. Mourning laments are therapeutic and I found this type of lamenting prayer helpful over recent months in processing the loss of my brother.
In Scripture, prayers of lament were used by prophets, who applied these prayers to the fall of rulers and nations. This type of lamenting prayers is often labeled as a complaint where both individuals and/or groups voice affliction to God and ask for his deliverance.
Lament plays a significant role in Scripture, particularly in the book of Psalms. In the Psalms, individuals express their deep sorrow, lamenting over various situations and circumstances such as personal hardships, national calamities, or times of distress. Laments often include expressions of grief, pleas for God's help, and declarations of trust in God's faithfulness. The Psalms teach us to lament.
For example, Psalm 13 begins with a lament prayer where we see the psalmist, David, cry out to God. He questions God’s presence (verses 1-2). David asks why God has forgotten him and how long must he suffer. We can hear feelings of despair as David pleads with God for relief. Next, David prays for defense from his enemies (verses 3-4). We sense fear and anguish here. By the end of the Psalm, David’s tone shifts as he expresses trust in God's unfailing love and salvation (verses 3-4). Finally, despair and anguish are turned to praise.
The Psalms provide a dramatic model of lament. They teach us how to express our deepest and most intense feelings, struggles, and sorrows to God. They offer a safe space to pour out our thoughts of distress, and even question God, while seeking comfort, hope, and assurance in His presence.
As we continue our quest for learning how the Psalms teach us to pray, let us lament as an essential part of our relationship with God. It is through our prayers and songs of lament that we may seek and find Gods compassion, understanding, and healing as David shared with us in Psalms 13.
Consider and answer me, O Lord my God.
