O LORD, I cry out to you. I will keep on pleading day by day.

Psalms‬ ‭88‬:‭13‬

The “Blues” genre of music began near the end of the 19th century.  It has been called “soulful”.  It is reflective.  It is introspective.  It is heartfelt.  The “Blues” share “personal woes in a world of harsh reality.”  Often our greatest sorrows can only be expressed with song.  The powerful harmony between lyrics and music can soothe, satisfy or simplify the soul’s story.

Psalm 88 has been called the saddest of all psalms.  Spurgeon insightfully shared, “whoever wrote the Psalm must have been a man of deep experience, who had done business on the great waters of soul trouble.”

The psalmist showed his pain, shared his problems and surrendered his pride.  There was no one who could help him but God.  In his heartache, the psalmist tried to find hope.  He pleaded with God through his daily petition and God seemed to be silent.  The psalmist pleaded, “Lord, why do you reject me?  Why do you hide your face from me?”

He Is The God Of Salvation.  

When sorrow begins to conflict our soul, we need to find confidence in our Savior.  The psalmist writes, “O LORD, God of my salvation, I cry out to you by day. I come to you at night.” (‭Ps‬ ‭88‬:‭1‬).  In our failings, we have nothing to fear.  The prophet Isaiah reminds us, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.” (‭Is ‭12‬:‭2‬)

He is our propitiation.

He Is Our God In Supplication.  

The writer of this psalm confessed, “Now hear my prayer; listen to my cry.” (‭Ps‬ ‭88‬:‭2‬). God desires that we come to Him even in our confusion and conflict . . . and we have the confidence that He will hear our cry.  Le Blanc wrote, “It is necessary that God should incline His ear unto our prayer, else it would be in vain to come before Him.” The pastor of Hebrews tells us, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (‭Heb‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬)

He hears my prayer.

He Is Our God In Suffering.  

When there is no place else to turn, He is there.  The psalmist cried out, “My eyes are blinded by my tears. Each day I beg for Your help, O LORD; I lift my hands to You for mercy.” (‭Ps‬ ‭88‬:‭9‬). Our brokenness always births a breakthrough for His blessing.  Matthew Henry wrote, “Weeping must not hinder praying; we must sow in tears.  Let prayers and tears go together, and they shall be accepted together.”

He shares our pain.

Songwriter Toby McKeehan, better known as TobyMac reminds us, “When you’re hanging on by a thread, make sure it’s the hem of His garment.”

In 1904, Civilla D. Martin wrote the beloved lyrics:

“Be not dismayed whate’er betide,

God will take care of you;

Beneath His wings of love abide,

God will take care of you.”

“God will take care of you,

Through every day, o’er all the way;

He will take care of you,

God will take care of you.”

“Through days of toil when heart doth fail,

God will take care of you;

When dangers fierce your path assail,

God will take care of you.”

“God will take care of you,

Through every day, o’er all the way;

He will take care of you,

God will take care of you.”

In perplexing times, He’s Peace.  

When we are hurting, He heals.  

In our loneliness, He loves.  

In our chaos, He cares.

If you are going through the “great waters of soul trouble”, grab on to the hem of His garment . . . He will take care of you.