Lament is the language of broken men and women in need of a Savior. Brokenness runs rampant, and its impact is universal. Every person faces loss. Sooner or later. To one level or another. The appropriate response is to “…not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).
“Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy.” Psalm 64:1
David faces an enemy too powerful for him. So, he turns and complains to God asking him to hear his plea. He calls on God to hide him from secret plots of a throng of evildoers. These enemies, hungry for evil, have tongues like swords and bitter words like arrows.
David is at risk of an ambush. He stands blameless, but evildoers shoot at him without fear. Danger lurks. The evildoers embrace the evil in their hearts assuming no one sees the snares they secretly place in the way.
“They search out injustice, saying, ‘We have accomplished a diligent search.’ For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep.” Psalms 64:6
David is in need. Brokenness makes its presence known. Enemies focus in on him and point their venom his direction. These evildoers have their sight set on injustice. Their diligent search is unstoppable. Their commitment to evil goes deep and they are set on David’s destruction.
David complains to God because they seek to ambush him. They aim their shooting his way. But God shoots his arrows in defense of his godly one. God wounds the pursuer. Ruin is the outcome. The enemy is routed. Those who sought to deliver wounds are wounded themselves.
Onlookers seem to pity the plight of the evildoers. Onlookers shake their heads in disappointment. When God enters, the battle is not fair. Onlookers take note of the power of God.
“Then all mankind fears; they tell what God has brought about and ponder what he has done.” Psalm 64:9
Mankind takes note. Awe overcomes men and women. They observe what God has accomplished for David and they ponder his deeds. As in Job 42:5, mankind exclaims, “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you…” They are convinced and fear, awe, and respect overwhelm their hearts. Psalm 145:4 reveals what happens when people see what God has done: “One generation shall commend your works to another and shall declare your mighty acts.”
Those who have surrendered to God no longer stand in dread. They no longer complain to God. Lament has been met with salvation. Brokenness has been met with wholeness. The righteous lift their voices in joy. They lamented, took refuge, trusted, and their need was met with protection. They are ready to tell others as in Psalm 145:6: “They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.”
The hearts of his worshippers triumph in the name of the Lord.
“Let the righteous one rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him! Let all the upright in heart exult!” Psalm 64:10
Read the E-book Facing Loss: Lessons of Hope from My Unwanted Journey