Psalm 39
Dear RTB’ers,
My NASB translation names this Psalm “The Futility of Life”. That sounds a lot like Ecclesiastes, and today’s reading does read a lot like Ecclesiastes, with a bit of Job sprinkled in: O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, You have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before You. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! (vv. 4-5) And later, For I am a sojourner with You, a guest, like all my fathers. (v. 12b)
In between these verses, just like yesterday David sounds like he is angry with God, but again like yesterday his anger with God is the result of his own failings: Remove Your stroke from me; I am spent by the hostility of Your hand. When You discipline a man with rebukes for sin… (vv. 10-11a) And one more time, again like yesterday, David wants only a restoration of his relationship with God: Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not Your peace at my tears! (v. 12)
I don’t know that I’ve ever been angry with God. I’ve been frustrated with life, disappointed at things not going my way, wondering where the Lord is in all my turmoil. But angry? Not really. Wanting God to heal my difficulties, to act sooner? Absolutely! In the end it’s Jesus’ own words that bring me consolation, “Not My will, but Your will be done.”
Blessings!
See also: April 10 (2022) / Psalm 39