I just finished reading a biography of Martin Luther. One of the images which stuck with me was a reference to a troubled Luther disappearing to a private room with his psalter in hand. It was a moment which required prayer, but it was a moment when Luther needed more than his own words. The psalms were, quite literally, his prayer book.
The psalms are intended to be a prayer book for you and I as well. If we are to use them this way, we need to spend time with them. As we spend time with the psalms we learn to borrow words and phrases. We learn various postures of prayer. We are confirmed in things we were taught when young in faith. Sometimes we are challenged to perceive with new depth the things we’ve known for many years.
I was reading Psalm 43 recently, and I learned new things from the movement of the psalm. The writer begins with a complaint, and a call for God’s vindication. The psalm concludes in hope. We can learn a lot as we observe the writer’s move from the sour spite of vengeance to the joyful hope of salvation.
Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause
against an ungodly people,
from the deceitful and unjust man
deliver me! (Psalm 43:1)
This is the initial request. Can you relate? Have you ever been justifiably upset with a person or a group? Have you ever felt slighted, scorned, or simply ignored? When we are hurt by the arrogance of other people or other groups (political groups, social groups, even church groups) we might find something helpful in this prayer.
For you are the God in whom I take refuge;
why have you rejected me?
Why do I go about mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy? (Psalm 43:2)
I trust you, God, so why does life stink right now? That’s the question raised.
Send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling! (Psalm 43:3)
I half expected this prayer to request that God lead me in carrying out my plans, but that wouldn’t be God leading at all. That’s how I would pray on my own, but maybe I can learn a different way to pray from this psalm. Verse three is the turning point of the prayer. This is submission to God’s sovereignty and trust in his goodness. It’s as if the previous questions and claims of my faithfulness have acted as reminders. I’m not leading God; I need God to lead me.
Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy,
and I will praise you with the lyre,
O God, my God.
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God. (Psalm 43:4-5)
Hope is found in being led by God. The resolution to my disappointments, frustrations, anger, spite, and sorrow does not come as God blesses my plans. He brings me to hope and joy as I am led back to his plans. May you and I be led in God’s good plans together.
Here for you,
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