PSALM 31 ANGUISH OF MY SOUL

Psalm 31: 9-10, 14-16
“Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak…. But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God. My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.’”

Have you ever felt so much pain there were no words to describe how you felt? You may even be feeling this way right now. There are times when the distress and hurting seem too great to bear; when we grasp for words to describe the depth of our pain. David used the word “anguish” in Psalm 31 to describe the pain he was experiencing. He described his strength failing, his body and soul weakening, and anguish consuming his entire being.

David is considered a great pillar in the Bible, the “Greatest of the Kings of Israel,” and “A Man after God’s Own Heart.” Yet he experienced times of deep pain, distress and agony. David had many troubles throughout his life. King Saul sought to kill him; his daughter was raped by her brother, Ammon, who was later killed by another son, Absalom. Later, Absalom conspired to take over the kingdom, causing a brief yet deadly civil war, and another son died as a young infant. No wonder David described himself as broken pottery.

David describes emotional flooding when he states "My life is consumed with anguish." When our emotions flood with sadness, grief, anger, anxiety or fear, we become paralyzed, unable to think clearly, make decisions,or take positive steps to change difficult situations. But we can interrupt the flooding by holding on to the fact that our Lord knows our pain and hears our cries for help. David states, “In my alarm I said, ‘I am cut off from your sight!’ yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help” (31: 22). As David change his focus from his own pain, to the Lord’s love, protection and deliverance, he was able to remind others of God’s faithfulness. He states, "But I trust in you, O Lord, I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in your hand...(31:14-15a). David cried out to the Lord for help, yet he also held on to the knowledge that the Lord "saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul" (31:7).

When we cannot find the words to describe our pain, the Lord knows exactly how we feel. When we do not know how to pray, the Lord prays for us. Romans 8:26 tells us that “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” Our Lord knows exactly what we need, and prays for us, even when we cannot find the words.

Prayer:
Jesus,I cry out to you for help. I am hurting Lord, and sometimes my emotion floods my soul. Yet you are God and I choose to trust in you. You know my needs completely and take joy in delivering me. My times are in your hands Lord. Please lead and guide me. Thank you for your kindness and protection. I can rest in your unfailing love, knowing that you have heard my cry and delight to help me.