FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
Psalm 88:1-18
Philippians 3:8-10

The Comforter has come.

HEMAN’S LAMENTATIONS

Psalm 88, being a “lamentation,” is composed by “Heman the Ezrahite” and given to the sons of Korah to be sung “upon Mahalath Leannoth,” i.e. with some musical instrument that gives a mournful sound. Surely it is not with a trumpet, but a flute. “… weep with them that weep” (Rom 12:15). Heman, one of the wisest in Israel, was given a deep exercise in suffering by the Lord, like Jeremiah, so he could compose these lamentations to soothe the souls of others overtaken by grief.

Thus we read in Psalm 42:5-8, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. O my God, my soul is cast down within me ... Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.”

As tears well from a sorrowful heart and give relief to the troubled soul, they will clear the eyes to give us a better perspective of a dark situation. What is at one time a matter of mourning to one of God’s children may become a matter of joy and singing afterward, both to himself and to others. This sad anguish of spirit in Heman is made a song of joy to God’s glory. That is why it is also called a song, a Psalm.

Is your heart burdened by grief? Read this Psalm. It is spiritual medicine to your soul. Here you will find that fellowship of suffering that St Paul talks about. “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Phil 3:10). As one commentator has said, “We have in this Psalm the voice of the suffering Redeemer.” The greater flutist is Christ!

THOUGHT: “O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee.” (Ps 88:1)
PRAYER: “Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry.” (Ps 88:2)