“Fine” never really means fine, does it? More often than not, it’s a way to deflect the question, “How are you doing?” Fine typically means “Feelings Inside Not Expressed” – and there’s a reason for that. Sometimes it’s just too difficult to talk about how we’re doing. The week, month, or year has just been too hard. We don’t have the words to talk about it, so instead we just say “Fine.”
In the Book of Psalms, God gives us some words other than “Fine.” The Psalms give us a vocabulary to express our joys and thankfulness, but those aren’t the only situations to which these songs apply. The Psalms are also for when times are as hard as crucible steel. When tragedy strikes and words fail, Psalms of Lament become our song.
These psalms are written to help us process our pain. In particular, they are structured to move us through it. Laments start with some kind of complaint. For example, Psalm 13:1-2 starts out like this:
1 How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I take counsel in my soul
and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
David feels the cold emptiness of being forsaken by God. His enemies seem to have the upper hand and David’s all alone. He’s in pain and he takes that pain to God, crying out, “God, where are you?” Have you ever wondered the same thing?
After expressing hurt, Laments reflect on the truth of who God is and what he has done. Instead of remaining fixated on the circumstances around us, Laments look up toward heaven. Psalm 13:5-6 goes on:
5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the LORD,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.
Do you see what lifts David out of the pit? He remembers the Lord has dealt bountifully with him. Recalling God’s past faithfulness fuels worship and joy even in the midst of his pain. That reflection was enough to buoy David as his head was sinking below water. That doesn’t mean the pain magically went away, but it became bearable as it became situated within the love of God. Laments move from pain to praise, teaching us how we can do the same.
So how are you doing? Don’t say fine. Be honest. What hurts right now? What’s been hard this week? Psalms of Lament remind us we can take to that grief to God. How has God been good to you? What mercies has he shown you? Laments teach us that reflecting on God’s goodness is what makes our pains bearable.
If you’re having a tough time and looking for the words to express it, spend some time in a Lament like Psalms 3, 4, 6, 10, 22, 43, 79, or 88. If the grief is still too much, reach out to one of your brothers and sisters in Christ. There are people here who want to bear your burdens with you. One of the ways we progress from pain to praise is by doing it together.