The writers of the Psalms are very transparent about their feelings. In the 150 chapters of the book, one can find hymns of praise, celebration, wisdom, and anger. Those expressing personal anger are usually called psalms of lamentation. They are very candid—beseeching God to regard and deal with the problems of the psalmist and/or the people. They sometimes sound like they are accusing God for their problems but they usually come back to acknowledging God’s care. Most often the writer strikes a balance as in Psalm 9:13-14, NRSV: “Be gracious to me, O Lord . See what I suffer from those who hate me; you are the one who lifts me up from the gates of death, so that I may recount all your praises, and, in the gates of daughter Zion, rejoice in your deliverance.” In this psalm, the writer also uses the term “enemies” to refer to those who cause the writer suffering. Too often, we think that this approach of dividing h...
Comments from a Christ-follower on things that matter to him