The readings this week led me down two distinct lines of thought. First, the prayers in Lamentations and Psalm 94 have themes of distress and judgement. On the other hand, Psalms 95 and 96 focus on joy and praise of God. From this we can learn how to go to God in times of anguish, and we can learn how to express adoration to the Lord. How can joy in the Lord and sorrow in distress coexist in the Christian life? These passages may help us learn how to understand this tension and take these things to God.
In Lamentations 1, Jeremiah (presumably the author) is in deep distress to the point of feeling it in his heart and stomach, as the enemies of God have brought disaster on Jerusalem. Jeremiah brings his feelings to God. He acknowledges that the adversity that has come upon him and his people is punishment for rebellion, yet he still pleads for mercy. This shows us – thanks to the mercy of God – even when we or others suffer as a result of sin, we can still come to God with a repentant heart to plead for mercy. Especially in times where people are suffering as a result of mistreatment, we may ask God to put a stop to it. In Psalm 94, salvation of the oppressed is equated with the punishment of the wicked. When we are dismayed by the treatment of others, we can take comfort that God sees it and will bring justice, even if that justice is not fully realized until after death. Certainly this is also a reminder for us not to be the oppressors, who “kill the widow and the sojourner, and murder the fatherless” (Psalm 94:6, ESV). In Lamentations 3, Jeremiah takes comfort in the justice of God, to bring punishment upon the wicked. So we see that despite the affliction, the servant of God takes comfort in His mercy.
In Psalms 95 and 96, the mood is much different. Rather than focus on gloom and vengeance, they speak of joy, thanksgiving, salvation, and praise. In these passages, we can learn how to praise God. We can bless His name, which is to express adoration. A significant aspect of this praise is verbally acknowledging and ascribing His attributes. This can happen in prayer, song, and conversation. God is holy, powerful, beautiful, majestic, strong, all-powerful. If you want to know how to bring words of praise and worship before God, look at Psalm 96 and all the ways God is praised. Interestingly, the second half of Psalm 95 turns from joy and song to a reminder of wrath. The Psalm reminds us of how God loathed those who grumbled rather than praising Him (Psalm 95:8-10). This tension of joy and wrath can show us the value of the mercy of God that allows us to have salvation despite our shortcomings.
At times we may feel the distress of Lamentations and Psalm 94 more intensely; at other times we may be more naturally inclined toward the praise in Psalms 95 and 96. For the servant of God, punishment is tempered with comfort, and praise is enhanced with reminder of judgement. In both cases, the mercy of God toward His followers shines through.