A Lament That Lingers in Faith
Psalm 88 is a raw, unfiltered cry of the heart—a lament that doesn’t resolve neatly with praise or a tidy resolution. Unlike many psalms that follow a pattern of lament, confession, petition, and praise, Psalm 88 lingers in the darkness. It’s a song of unrelenting sorrow where the psalmist pours out his anguish without a clear pivot to hope. Yet, in the midst of this unrelieved grief, verse 13 stands as a beacon of persistent faith: “But I, O Lord, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you.”
This verse captures the heart of the psalmist’s posture: even in the depths of despair, he keeps crying out to God. The act of praying, morning after morning, is not a denial of pain but an affirmation of faith. To lament is not a lack of trust; it’s an honest dialogue with the God who hears. The psalmist’s complaints—feeling abandoned, overwhelmed by affliction, and questioning God’s timing (vv. 9-12, 14)—are laid bare before the Lord. Yet, the very fact that he continues to address God reveals a stubborn belief that God is still there, still listening, still sovereign.
Grieving is appropriate. Psalm 88 gives us permission to feel the weight of our losses, to voice our frustrations, and to wrestle with the silence of God. It reminds us that faith is not always a triumphant shout; sometimes, it’s a whispered prayer in the dark. The psalmist’s persistence in crying out, even without immediate answers, reflects a trust that God is at work, even in the waiting.
As A.W. Tozer beautifully said, “God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which He must work. Only to know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves.” God’s timing, though often mysterious to us, is always perfect.
Psalm 88 invites us to bring our whole selves to God—our pain, our questions, our doubts. It teaches us that lament is an act of faith, a refusal to turn away from God even when life feels unbearable. Verse 13 challenges us to keep praying, to keep seeking God “in the morning,” day after day, trusting that He hears us. Experiencing God’s peace and rejoicing in Him doesn’t always happen quickly. It’s not a one-time event, a single day, or even a single psalm. Sometimes, it’s a journey through the valley of lament, where faith is forged in the persistence of crying out.
Today, if you’re in a season of grief or unanswered prayers, take heart from Psalm 88. Your lament is not a failure of faith but a courageous act of trust. Keep bringing your cries to God, knowing that He is near, even when He feels far. His timing is perfect, and He is at work in your waiting.
This verse captures the heart of the psalmist’s posture: even in the depths of despair, he keeps crying out to God. The act of praying, morning after morning, is not a denial of pain but an affirmation of faith. To lament is not a lack of trust; it’s an honest dialogue with the God who hears. The psalmist’s complaints—feeling abandoned, overwhelmed by affliction, and questioning God’s timing (vv. 9-12, 14)—are laid bare before the Lord. Yet, the very fact that he continues to address God reveals a stubborn belief that God is still there, still listening, still sovereign.
Grieving is appropriate. Psalm 88 gives us permission to feel the weight of our losses, to voice our frustrations, and to wrestle with the silence of God. It reminds us that faith is not always a triumphant shout; sometimes, it’s a whispered prayer in the dark. The psalmist’s persistence in crying out, even without immediate answers, reflects a trust that God is at work, even in the waiting.
As A.W. Tozer beautifully said, “God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which He must work. Only to know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves.” God’s timing, though often mysterious to us, is always perfect.
Psalm 88 invites us to bring our whole selves to God—our pain, our questions, our doubts. It teaches us that lament is an act of faith, a refusal to turn away from God even when life feels unbearable. Verse 13 challenges us to keep praying, to keep seeking God “in the morning,” day after day, trusting that He hears us. Experiencing God’s peace and rejoicing in Him doesn’t always happen quickly. It’s not a one-time event, a single day, or even a single psalm. Sometimes, it’s a journey through the valley of lament, where faith is forged in the persistence of crying out.
Today, if you’re in a season of grief or unanswered prayers, take heart from Psalm 88. Your lament is not a failure of faith but a courageous act of trust. Keep bringing your cries to God, knowing that He is near, even when He feels far. His timing is perfect, and He is at work in your waiting.