Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me,
For I am desolate and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart have enlarged;
Bring me out of my distresses!
Look on my affliction and my pain,
And forgive all my sins.
Consider my enemies, for they are many;
And they hate me with cruel hatred.
Keep my soul, and deliver me;
Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You.
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,
For I wait for You.
Redeem Israel, O God,
Out of all their troubles!
Psalm 25:16-22
David breaks open his heart in these verses, just like the woman who broke open the alabaster jar in Mark 14. Make a note of the strong language he uses: desolate, afflicted, troubled, distressed, cruel hatred.
Often, especially in Christian circles, we're told to "rejoice and be glad" and focus on God's goodness. Yes, that is incredibly important. But, we cannot ignore the pain. David knew this. David knew God was big enough for his emotions. David knew that he could trust God with the truth of the pain and trust in His coming redemption.
David knew that he could trust God with the truth of the pain and trust in His coming redemption.
We must name the pain, verbalize the hurt, and then allow God to be faithful in the healing process. There is power in living in the Light (transparency) and "doing life" with a small community of true believers, and we’re reminded of this in Hebrews 10:25:
"...not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."
It's beautiful to practice confession in community and allow Him to speak Light into the darkness. So many times, He communicates through other believers, but when we are in isolation we miss hearing Him.
As we read David pouring out his pain before the Lord, we should also take note of the strong language he uses at the end: deliver, trust, integrity, uprightness, preserve.
Gracious God, thank you for this study through Psalm 25. I learned of trust, inner healing, practicing Your presence, how You sing over me, and the power of wordless groans. You have taught me, encouraged me, and met me in my darkest night of the soul. Thank you for being big enough to hold it all in Your hand while You hold me in Your heart. To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. I am safe with You. Amen.
1 To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, I trust in You;
Let me not be ashamed;
Let not my enemies triumph over me.
3 Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed;
Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.
4 Show me Your ways, O Lord;
Teach me Your paths.
5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.
6 Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses,
For they are from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;
According to Your mercy remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.
8 Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.
9 The humble He guides in justice,
And the humble He teaches His way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth,
To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.
11 For Your name’s sake, O Lord,
Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.
12 Who is the man that fears the Lord?
Him shall He teach in the way He chooses.
13 He himself shall dwell in prosperity,
And his descendants shall inherit the earth.
14 The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him,
And He will show them His covenant.
15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
For He shall pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me,
For I am desolate and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart have enlarged;
Bring me out of my distresses!
18 Look on my affliction and my pain,
And forgive all my sins.
19 Consider my enemies, for they are many;
And they hate me with cruel hatred.
20 Keep my soul, and deliver me;
Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You.
21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,
For I wait for You.
22 Redeem Israel, O God,
Out of all their troubles!
Amen and Amen.